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How do we study the seabed, an environment covered by oceans? Marine geologists send sound waves through the ocean to the seabed. From the sound coming back, we detect what the seabed looks like. We even detect what lies underneath, the seafloor of the past. The seabed around Wales was shaped through ice streaming many thousands of years ago. This glacial history helps us better understand polar ice dynamics today. The impact from ice on the seabed in the past also helps understand the mobility of the seabed today. That reveals the best way the seabed can hosts infrastructure, like windfarms, to accelerate the energy transition. Finally, the sediments brought by the ice, host a wide range of animals with diverse skills and functions. We need to take care of these marine ecosystems as we plan for windfarms offshore.

Marine sound waves, for science and society… But the sound from air passing our vocal cords also matter. We can speak up, share experiences, be a mentor, quietly listen. We can help break down barriers, widen participation and increase retention in science. We need a wider range of people with diverse skills and perspectives. Let’s make that happen, with Sound waves for Science and Society…

Professor Katrien Van Landeghem lectures in Marine Geology and Geophysics. She specialises in seabed morphodynamics around objects and its links to the sustainable management of engineering projects, glacial dynamics and habitat suitability and wider ecosystems. 

Katrien works in large projects supporting developing economic opportunities in Low Carbon, Energy and Environment (projects SEACAMS and SEEC) and she was Sêr Cymru NRN-LCEE Returning Fellow on seabed scour around seabed structures. Katrien assesses and predicts seabed mobility in complex (palaeo)glaciated environments, underpinned by more accurate modelling. Her work underpins habitat maps in the Irish Sea and in polar regions. Katrien specialises in amplified sediment waves and accelerated seabed erosion around windfarms and cables , with ecological implications.  

Her knowledge transfer projects have received funding from statutory advisers to UK Government, marine engineers and consultants, aggregate industry, marine renewable energy developers, offshore infrastructure connectors and coastline managers.   

This lecture will be given in English.

Refreshments will be available after the lecture.