An alpine immersion in engineering geology: my experience at the 4th IAEG Summer School

Summer School members during one of the field activities in the Aosta Valley region, Italy.

Between July 7 and 15, 2025, I had the opportunity to participate in the 4th edition of the Summer School of the International Association for Engineering Geology and the Environment (IAEG), held in Aosta, northern Italy. It was an enriching experience, both academically and personally—the kind that reminds us why we chose science as our path.

The view of Mont Blanc makes work much easier.

I was one of approximately 30 researchers selected from more than 160 applicants, and I was delighted to represent Brazil alongside my colleague Mariane Borba de Lemos, a doctoral student at the Institute of Geosciences at the University of São Paulo (USP). The diversity of the group was one of the school's greatest assets: in addition to colleagues from South America, such as representatives from Chile, researchers from India, China, Nigeria, Greece, and several other countries also participated. This plurality of backgrounds and contexts greatly enriched the debates, making cultural and scientific exchanges even more meaningful.

Visit to the Beauregard Dam.

The central theme of the school was: “The role of geological models for geo-hazards management and infrastructure design,” addressing the role of geological models in the analysis and mitigation of natural hazards and in the design of major infrastructure projects. The activities included theoretical classes taught by internationally renowned researchers and professionals, such as Steve Parry, Giovanni Crosta, Wilfried Haeberli, and Cees Van Westen, as well as practical workshops on modeling discontinuities in digital outcrops, rockfall modeling, and multi-risk analysis using software, some of which is open source.

The fieldwork was one of the highlights of the program. The technical visits took place in alpine geological contexts, strongly influenced by glacial processes and instability on steep slopes—environments that contrast sharply with Brazil's tropical landscapes, which further enriched the experience. Among the highlights, I would like to mention the visit to the Beauregard Dam, which included discussions on slope instabilities and risks associated with reservoir operation—topics directly related to my doctoral project.

Quite different from Brazil, right?

For doctoral students in Brazil working in the fields of engineering geology, geological hazards, and geotechnics, I strongly recommend following future editions of the IAEG Summer School. It is a unique opportunity for practical learning, international exchange, and scientific deepening in topics essential to the current challenges of geological engineering!

Mont Blanc!

I am available to assist those who are interested in submitting their application in future editions! :)