At Hakai, we focus on the fundamentals. Nothing is more fundamental than the Earth’s crust. The crust on the coastal margin of British Columbia is as dynamic as any place on Earth. We consider the driving forces, such as tectonics and isostatic rebound. We study in detail how wind, water, snow, and glacial ice sculpt the resulting landscape and the implications of climate change. Geological change is typically so gradual that we don’t notice it happening. But occasionally it can erupt in catastrophic events—earthquakes, landslides, tsunamis—that cause widespread damage and death. Although our work is mainly driven by our desire to explore, discover, and understand, we also work with coastal communities and agencies to identify potential geohazards and to join the response when they occur.
Geohazards & Cryosphere
