For three weeks in the spring of 2023, our team of twelve geology students from Tribhuvan University worked across 45 km² of geologically complex terrain in central Nepal — mapping, measuring, and assessing the natural hazards that shape daily life for the communities that live there.
Purpose & Structure
The annual Tribhuvan University geology field camp is a capstone practical experience for undergraduate geology students — a chance to apply three years of classroom learning to real terrain under the supervision of experienced faculty. The 2023 camp focused specifically on natural hazard identification and assessment, reflecting the increasing urgency of geological hazard management in Nepal's developing mountain communities.
The camp was structured in three one-week phases: geological mapping, hazard assessment, and data synthesis and report production.
Phase 1 — Geological Mapping (Week 1)
The first week established the geological framework for subsequent hazard work. Teams conducted systematic geological mapping of the 45 km² study area, identifying and delimiting the major lithological units and structural features.
- Mapped 6 distinct lithological units ranging from Precambrian crystallines to Quaternary colluvium
- Documented 3 major fault trends and measured 127 structural data points across the area
- Produced a 1:10,000 scale base geological map used as the foundation for hazard mapping
- Identified 4 zones of structurally controlled drainage that concentrate groundwater input to slopes
Phase 2 — Hazard Assessment (Week 2)
The second week focused on systematic hazard identification and characterisation. Each team of four students was assigned a sub-area and tasked with producing a detailed hazard inventory covering landslides, debris flows, flood plains, and erosion features.
Landslide Inventory
Forty-one landslide features were mapped within the study area, ranging from small (<500 m²) shallow debris slides to large (>50,000 m²) deep-seated rotational failures. Each feature was characterised for type, activity level, morphological dimensions, geological controls, and estimated runout potential. Activity assessment used a four-class scheme: active, reactivated, dormant, and relict.
Debris Flow Assessment
Eleven debris flow channels were identified draining steep, colluvium-mantled catchments. For each channel, catchment area, channel gradient, estimated sediment availability, and downstream fan characteristics were recorded. Three channels were classified as high-risk due to their proximity to settlements and evidence of recent activity including fresh levees, stripped vegetation, and deposited boulders.
Community Impact
Hazard mapping identified that 3 of the 7 settlements within the study area are situated within moderate-to-high landslide hazard zones, with limited awareness of the risk among residents. Findings were communicated to the local district office to inform land use planning decisions.
Phase 3 — Synthesis & Reporting (Week 3)
The final week was devoted to compiling field data into a comprehensive hazard zonation map and technical report. Using QGIS, individual hazard inventories were combined with the geological base map, slope angle analysis from a 5 m DEM, and land use data to produce a composite hazard zonation map classifying the study area into four hazard levels: high, moderate, low, and negligible.
| Hazard Zone | Area (km²) | % of Study Area | Primary Hazard |
|---|---|---|---|
| High | 6.2 | 13.8% | Active landslide / debris flow |
| Moderate | 14.7 | 32.7% | Landslide susceptibility |
| Low | 18.9 | 42.0% | Localised erosion |
| Negligible | 5.2 | 11.5% | Stable ground |
Learning Outcomes
Beyond the technical outputs, the 2023 field camp was a formative experience in working as part of a multidisciplinary team under field conditions — managing logistics, reconciling conflicting data interpretations, and communicating technical findings to non-specialist audiences. The camp strengthened my conviction that geology must be practised in the field to be truly understood, and that it carries an obligation to serve the communities living in the landscapes we study.