Associate Professor, Engineering Geology
Year Started at JMU: 2013
admassyx@jmu.edu
Contact Info
Research Description
My main area of research is in engineering geology. Specifically, I use remotely sensed data (LiDAR and photogrammetry) to monitor and assess geohazards such as rockfalls, landslides, and sinkholes. I am currently examining unique geohazards known as ground fissures that affect transportation infrastructure in the Ethiopian Rift Valley. In the past, I worked on structural controls of gold mineralization in Neoproterozoic rocks of northern Ethiopia. To add a little bit more fun to my life, I spend time writing computer codes from which came DipAnalyst, a software for rock slope stability analysis.
Courses
- GEOL 110: Physical Geology Lab
- GEOL 210: Applied Physical Geology
- GEOL 291: Geowriting and Communication
- GEOL 360: GIS for the Geoscientist
- GEOL 387: Stratigraphy, Structure, and Tectonics
- GEOL 388: Advanced Structure, Stratigraphy, and Tectonics
- GEOL 399: Field Geology
- GEOL 410: Engineering Geology
- GEOL 460: Hydrogeology
Education
- PhD in Applied Geology, 2010, Kent State University
- MS in Geology, 2005, University of Akron
- BS in Geology, 1994, Addis Ababa University
Select Publications
- Admassu, Y., Woodruff, C., 2021, Improved automated mapping of sinkholes using high- resolution DEMs: Environmental and Engineering Geoscience, vol. XXVII, No. 3 pp. 331 – 351.
- Admassu, Y., 2019, Digital surface model-aided quantitative geologic rockfall rating system (QG-RRS): Environmental and Engineering Geoscience, vol. XXV, No. 4 pp. 255 – 271.
- Swanger, W., Admassu, Y., 2018, Using Google Earth and Google Street view to rate rock slope hazards: Environmental and Engineering Geoscience: Environmental and Engineering Geoscience, vol. XXIV, No. 2 pp. 237 – 250.