This is the second webinar of Earth Science Week 2022 webinar series that features two Geoscientists without Borders® (GWB) projects. The first project, presented by Dr. Kirsten Nicholson focuses on high mountain aquifers in the Sagarmatha National Park, Mt Everest region, Nepal. Dr. Nicholson discusses sourcing potable drinking water for local communities and how people’s behavior (both local residents and tourists) and climate change are impacting access to potable water in the region.

The second presentation, by Mr. Gabriel do Nasciemento Cardasco, is focused on utilizing five geophysical methodologies to study the geohazard risk from mining practices in Ouro Preto, Brazil. He discusses the background and landslide risk of this region, shares how his research has helped measure the scope of the issue, and discusses strategies for engaging with the local community.

Browse the Earth Science Week 2022 webinar series.

About our speakers

Dr. Kirsten Nicholson, Professor, Department of Geosciences, Ball State University

Dr. Nicholson’s research includes work on petrology, tectonics and heat flow in the Pacific, and water resources in the Nepali Himalayas. Kirsten has more than 25 years of research experience in petrology and tectonics but has only been working in water resources for the past ten years. Her BSc is in Geological Sciences is from the University of British Columbia, Canada, her MSc is from the University of Auckland, New Zealand, and her PhD is a cotutelle from the University of Auckland and the Universite Joseph Fourier, France.

Gabriel do Nascimento Cardoso, Undergraduate student, Department of Geological Engineering, Federal University of Ouro Preto

Gabriel currently works as an intern at an ornamental rocks mining company. He is an active participant in the student chapter Society of Applied Geophysics (SGA), where he explores the utilization of geophysics to solve problems and develop new applications. Besides being an SGA representative, Gabriel’s research is also affiliated with Geoscientists Without Borders (GWB) and the American Association of Petroleum Geologists (AAPG).