Robin Kurtz

DTRN / Sensibilité aléas géologiques

What is your Curriculum?

IUT Biological Engineering option environmental engineering

  1. Bachelor’s degree Physics and Geosciences (UJF Grenoble)
  2. Master’s degree Dynamics of the Earth and Natural Hazards (UM, Montpellier)
  3. Diploma of mining engineer specializing in Risk Management, Alès (double degree with the master DTRN)

What is your current employment?

I am currently doing a PhD thesis at the UM. I work in active tectonics: we try to determine the parameters associated with seismically active faults (return periods, frequencies, location, co-sismic displacements, potential magnitudes) through the study of ancient earthquakes. My field target is located in Western Mongolia.

My job consists in generating and interpreting spatial data (satellite images, aerial photos, microtopographic surveys) in order to identify and characterize the surface ruptures associated with major earthquakes. We then carry out field investigations in order to acquire detailed information on the topography and the geometry of the rupture. In addition, I take samples in order to constrain the chronology of the activity of the faults by measuring their sliding velocity and the ages of palaeoseisms which have impacted the surface. Finally, I write scientific publications and give oral presentations in order to present these results and make them accessible to a large audience and pairs.

I also teach various courses mostly to Bachelor students.

Which skills are required?

How has you Master’s degree prepared you to your current employment?

It was during this master’s degree that I discovered the morpho-tectonic approach and its interest in the assessment of seismic hazards. This topic is exciting as well as the courses we have received on this subject. I use everyday tools that were presented to us during the Master. The approach of scientific questioning, particularly adapted to the accomplishment of a thesis is for me a great source of motivation.

I would say that yes, the DTRN master prepared me well for the realization of my thesis.

Nevertheless I also benefited a lot from methods and tools acquired during my years at the EMA (school of mines of Alès), especially on the organizational aspects. I also think that this training of engineers, although almost totally devoid of teaching in earth sciences, gives interesting skills in the aspects close to the industry (management, accounting), which can without doubt be valuable for someone who wishes to join or create a company.