Engineering geologists are concerned with the distribution of earth materials and water, and how that impacts engineering projects. Timor-Leste's geological survey (IPG) has several talented engineering geologists but more will be required to cope with the volume of work required in a country that has a rapidly developing infrastructure and very active surface processes.
Diapirs and mud volcanos
Diapirs (both active and inactive) are common on the south coast of Timor. These photos show an active mud-volcano (Raitahu) and an inactive diapir (Cuha River south of Viqueque). The map GIF shows an animation of the Raitahu mudvolcano between 2002 and 2012, and reveals displacement at the vent and bulging close to the coast. The river responds dramatically as it meanders strongly on the upstream side of the bulging diapir.
This site is located very close to the proposed LNG plant.
This site is located very close to the proposed LNG plant.