L1. Geosciences
The characteristics of the state of Veracruz make it vulnerable to a variety of geological phenomena, including earthquakes, active volcanism, and with a special emphasis on recurrent mass removal processes or landslides, which can develop on terrain with some degree of inclination, including the country’s volcanic buildings.
In this line of knowledge generation and application, Volcanology is used as objects of study, which is responsible for the study of volcanoes, their structures, deposits, origin, and especially the danger related to their activity. It is not only of scientific interest, but is also a matter of the safety of the population, which, due to its constant increase, increases its activities in the vicinity of active volcanoes. It also constitutes the fundamental basis for understanding the nature of the geological dangers of any region.
On the other hand, Seismology, which considers areas of study such as the characterization of local and regional seismicity and microseismicity, identification of active faults, study of seismic sources, propagation and amplification of seismic waves, seismic tomography, structure of the earth’s crust and its modeling, creation of ground motion scenarios for earthquakes of postulated magnitude and the realistic evaluation of seismic hazard.
All this in order to have probabilistic risk assessments for natural threats – such as earthquakes, floods, hurricanes, hail, wind, as well as threats induced by the above such as landslides and collapses (caused by earthquakes and heavy rain, considering the vulnerability characteristics of the region, urban area or structures to be analyzed.
L2. Hydroclimatology
Planet Earth works in a systemic and organic way, the components of the systems that interact on different temporal and spatial scales are subject to abrupt changes generated by man and by nature.
In this line of knowledge generation and application, hydrology and water resource management are used as objects of study, which lead to the research of territories conceptualized as basins or micro-basins and, specifically, to the research of water management and handling in terms of the phases of the natural and anthropic cycle, which includes the culture and governance of water resources.
On the other hand, applied climatology is an interdisciplinary science that describes, explains and interprets the relationships between climatic conditions and countless climate-sensitive activities in different areas.
The above is carried out under the complex systems approach, located in the context of sustainable development, covering the categories of water availability and quality, as well as society, economy and institutions related to water resource management. As well as the impact of atmospheric conditions and the climate system in the short, medium and long term, as well as their use to mitigate the impacts of meteorological and climatic variations in the socioeconomic sectors. In addition, it is sought that the results of the research carried out serve as a basis for decision-making.
