Geological Engineering at the Climate Nexus: Innovations in Hazard Assessment, Resource Stability, and Environmental Protection
Abstract
Geological engineering is changing because of climate change, as it changes the environmental boundary conditions that affect the stability of the ground, its security as a resource and the behavior of contaminants. Geological hazards are becoming more complex due to intensifying rainfall, sea-level rise, drought, permafrost degradation, coastal erosion, groundwater fluctuations, and extreme events, which are affecting the basic design assumptions of historical stationarity. This review explores the field of geological engineering in the context of climate change, with three interrelated themes: hazard identification, resource stability, and environmental protection. It brings together developments in slope-risk assessment, geohazard assessment in the coastal and riverine environment, cold-region instability, compound hazards, remote sensing, field monitoring, predictive modeling, and digital decision-support systems. Additionally, the review assesses the importance of sustainable subsurface engineering for the security of groundwater, critical mineral development, geothermal energy, carbon storage, and containment of my waste. It also covers an analysis of the geoenvironmental risks associated with climate change, adaptive remediation, nature-based and hybrid solutions, resilient infrastructure, land-use planning, and new policy needs. Analysis indicates that, going forward, geological engineering should shift from retrospective, single-hazard models to dynamic, multi-hazard, performance-based models. They need to be technologically innovative, but integration with the understanding of geological processes, uncertainty quantification, long-term monitoring, and adaptive governance are essential. Geological engineering can play a vital role in supporting resilient infrastructure, responsible resource development, and sustainable climate adaptation by connecting climate-related hazards, resources, and environmental protection.