Southern Québec is Canada’s second seismic area. Geotop studies its geological evolution and possible links with current seismic activity with complementary methods in seismic imagery, structural geology and thermochronology. Geotop also develops paleoseismic proxies such as marine and lacustrine sediment layers deformed by major earthquakes, deformation structures in Californian faults, or stalagmite breaking patterns in Mexico. With its expertise in volcanology and isotopic geochemistry, Geotop helps assessing volcanic hazards through the study of magma degassing processes. Studies are being conducted in South America and Asia and contribute to the training of local stakeholders on volcanic hazards. Innovative approaches combining isotopic geochemistry and dendrochronology are also being developed to trace the intensity of past volcanic emissions.
Geological hazards and risks
See also