Hydrogeology Events

The Vadose Zone: Variable Saturation in Engineering Geology and Hydrogeology Presented by the Department of Geology, University of Pretoria Variably saturated flow conditions are increasingly relevant to geotechnical and hydrogeological assessments. This is most evident in the so-called vadose zone that extends from land surface to the phreatic surface, and which is characterised by variably saturated hydrological systems mostly at negative pore water pressures.

The GWD is delighted to announce that the 2019 Field School will be hosted by our GWD Western Cape branch this year! Building on the successes of the annual Industry Field Schools (hosted in Gauteng in 2016-18) and the Honour Students' Field School (2018, hosted in Potchefstroom by the NWU)

Groundwater is used widely throughout the African continent, with millions of people being dependent on the availability of sufficient quantities of groundwater of acceptable quality. However, as was evident with the recent drought, as well as numerous other extreme events and hydrometeorological disasters such as flooding, topsoil erosion, surface water quality deterioration, and crop failure, groundwater often only provides immediate relief during disaster rather than being the primary source of potable water.

Herewith notifying members that GeoCongress 2020 is happening at Stellenbosch University this year (see links from the GSSA below) and that there will be a groundwater session titled "Advances in Southern African Hydrogeology".

Parts of Sub Saharan Africa makes little use of its groundwater resources, which contributes only 1% of total renewable water resource withdrawals for agriculture. Projected and continuing changes to the amount, intensity and predictability of rainfall in much of Southern Africa will lead to changes in the way the region views its groundwater resources.

The vadose zone stretches from the land surface to the groundwater table, where moisture in intergranular pore space and rock defects occurs at variable water saturation and at negative pore-water pressures.

The Vadose Zone in Engineering Geology and Hydrogeology - Research by UP Geology Join us for a FREE one-hour series of talks on recent research on unsaturated hydraulics and the role of the vadose or unsaturated zone in engineering geology and hydrogeology. The Department of Geology has for the past decade focused on how the soil and rock between land surface and the phreatic or saturated zone behave with respect to highly variable moisture contents. We contributed to knowledge on variably saturated flow through soil, rock defects, karst, and the interfaces between these media.

All Masters and PhD students currently studying hydrogeology and associated topics are invited to present their work either as an 8 minute oral presentation or a full poster presentation (with a 3 minute lightning overview of their posters).

We're hosting an event! In celebration of women's month: "Women in Hydrogeology".
The registration link is below. The list if speakers is being finalised and will be shared.