NCESS hosts workshop on quaternary processes and geohazards in south India

The National Centre for Earth Science Studies (NCESS) has launched a dedicated workshop focused on quaternary earth system processes and geohazards affecting Southern India. The programme brings together earth scientists, researchers, and geoscience professionals to examine the region's complex geological evolution and associated natural hazards.

Quaternary processes—geological changes occurring over the past 2.6 million years—directly influence contemporary landscape formation, groundwater availability, and vulnerability to natural disasters including earthquakes, landslides, and coastal erosion. Southern India, with its diverse geological structures spanning the Deccan plateau, Western and Eastern Ghats, and coastal plains, presents significant geohazard risks requiring systematic scientific investigation.

The workshop provides a platform for participants to discuss ongoing research, share methodological approaches, and develop strategies for hazard mitigation. Key focus areas include understanding paleoseismic records, documenting landslide-prone zones, and assessing climate-related geological changes affecting the region.

Such collaborative initiatives are increasingly important as climate change and rapid urbanisation intensify geological risks across South Asia. Enhanced understanding of quaternary processes supports improved urban planning, infrastructure development, and disaster preparedness strategies essential for sustainable growth in Southern India.