Andreas Grøvan Aspaas

Doctoral Research Fellow - Crustal Processes

Norwegian version of this page

Email a.g.aspaas@geo.uio.no

Room V436

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Visiting address Sem Sælandsvei 24 Fysikk bygningen 0371 Oslo

Postal address Postboks 1048 Blindern 0316 Oslo

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Academic interests

Geomechanics focusing on fracturing, friction and slope stability through monitoring, and analogue- and numerical modeling.

Courses taught

GEO4131 – Geomechanics (teaching assistant)
GEO4151 – Earthquake and Volcanic Processes (teaching assistant)

Background

Work experience:

2019- Geologist at the section for rock avalanches at the Norwegian Water Resources and Energy Directorate (NVE)

Education:

2017-2019 Master’s degree in Strucutral geology and Tectonics at the University of Oslo (UiO)

2014-2017 Bachelor’s degree in Geology and Geohazards at the University of Western Norway (HVL).

Etzelmüller, Bernd; Czekirda, Justyna; Magnin, Florence; Duvillard, Pierre-Allain; Ravanel, Ludovic & Malet, Emanuelle [Show all 20 contributors for this article] (2022). Permafrost in monitored unstable rock slopes in Norway-New insights from temperature and surface velocity measurements, geophysical surveying, and ground temperature modelling. Earth Surface Dynamics. ISSN 2196-6311. 10(1), p. 97–129. doi: 10.5194/esurf-10-97-2022. Full text in Research Archive Show summary
The warming and subsequent degradation of mountain permafrost within alpine areas represent an important process influencing the stability of steep slopes and rock faces. The unstable and monitored slopes of Mannen (Møre and Romsdal county, southern Norway) and Gámanjunni-3 (Troms and Finnmark county, northern Norway) were classified as high-risk sites by the Norwegian Geological Survey (NGU). Failure initiation has been suggested to be linked to permafrost degradation, but the detailed permafrost distribution at the sites is unknown. Rock wall (RW) temperature loggers at both sites have measured the thermal regime since 2015, showing mean rock surface temperatures between 2.5 and −1.6 ∘C depending on site and topographic aspect. Between 2016 and 2019 we conducted 2D and 3D electrical resistivity tomography (ERT) surveys on the plateau and directly within the rock wall back scarp of the unstable slopes at both sites. In combination with geophysical laboratory analysis of rock wall samples from both sites, the ERT soundings indicate widespread permafrost areas, especially at Gámanjunni-3. Finally, we conducted 2D thermal modelling to evaluate the potential thermal regime, along with an analysis of available displacement rate measurements based on Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) and ground- and satellite-based interferometric synthetic aperture radar (InSAR) methods. Surface air and ground temperatures have increased significantly since ca. 1900 by 1 and 1.5 ∘C, and the highest temperatures have been measured and modelled since 2000 at both study sites. We observed a seasonality of displacement, with increasing velocities during late winter and early spring and the highest velocities in June, probably related to water pressure variations during snowmelt. The displacement rates of Gámanjunni-3 rockslide co-vary with subsurface resistivity and modelled ground temperature. Increased displacement rates seem to be associated with sub-zero ground temperatures and higher ground resistivity. This might be related to the presence of ground ice in fractures and pores close to the melting point, facilitating increased deformation. The study demonstrates and discusses the possible influence of permafrost, at least locally, on the dynamics of large rock slope instabilities

View all works in Cristin

Oye, Volker; Langet, Nadege & Aspaas, Andreas Grøvan (2022). Geohazards, Norway, Åknes, rockslide, seismic monitoring.
Aspaas, Andreas Grøvan; Renard, Francois; Lacroix, Pascal; Kristensen, Lene & Etzelmüller, Bernd (2022). What causes transient deformations in the Åknes landslide, Norway?
Grøvan Aspaas, Andreas; Anda, Einar; Kristensen, Lene; Blikra, Lars Harald; Majala, Gudrun & Pless, Gustav [Show all 7 contributors for this article] (2020). Managing an increasing number of medium risk unstable rock slopes.
Grøvan Aspaas, Andreas; Krautblatter, Michael; Renard, Francois & Etzelmüller, Bernd (2019). Effects of glimmer rich rocks on the failure criterion of ice-filled permafrost rock joints.
Grøvan Aspaas, Andreas (2019). Characterization and simulation of permafrost rock slope failures in mica-rich rocks - An integrated laboratory study of temperature-resistivity measurements and direct shear tests. Universitetet i Oslo.