Geomorphology and Active Tectonics Research (GEAR) Laboratory


About the Laboratory

The GEAR Lab is a young group of researchers at the National Institute of Geological Sciences – University of the Philippines whose research interests include: 

  1. landforms and their evolution, 
  2. surface processes and their impacts; and 
  3. the application of geospatial techniques in modelling surface processes and hazards.


Head

Noelynna T. Ramos, D.Sc. Geomorphology, Geohazards


Contact Information

Website: GEAR Lab Website
Facebook: www.fb.com/gearlabnigs/
Email: gear@nigs.upd.edu.ph
Telephone: (02) 8981 8500 loc. 3769
Location: NIGS Room 003

Ongoing Research Projects

Foreign
  • Bridging the gaps between geology, process, and numerical modeling to improve forecasts of coastal change
    Period: 01 April 2021 – 31 March 2026
    Funding Source: UNESCO

Deparment of Science and Technology
  • Seismic Hazard Assessment and Paleoseismology of Earthquake Sources in Northern Luzon, Philippines (SHAPES)
    Period: 01 April 2025 – 31 March 2028

University of the Philippines
  • Machine learning - based approach to landscape evolution inverse problems
    Period: 01 December 2024 – 30 November 2025
    Funding Source: Office of the Vice Chancellor for Research and Development

  • Geomorphic Controls to Slope Stability and Long-Term Deformation of the Abra River Basin in Northern Luzon
    Period: 01 January 2025 – 31 December 2025
    Funding Source: NIGS Research Grant (UP Diliman)

Research Activities for 2024

International Conference Presentations (18)

European Geoscience Union
  • Nawanao, L.P.J., and Ramos, N.T. “Spatial Regression Modeling and Distribution of Submarine Landslides in the Negros–Sulu Trench System” EGU General Assembly 2024, Vienna, Austria, 14–19 Apr 2024 (ORAL) Nawanao, L.P.J., Ramos, N.T., Mangahas–Flores
  • Nawanao, L.P.J., Ramos, N.T., Mangahas–Flores, R.Z., Hu, H.M., and Shen, C.C. “Early-to-Late Holocene Emerged Fossil Corals along the Negros Trench Forearc, Philippines” EGU General Assembly 2024, Vienna, Austria, 14–19 Apr 2024 (POSTER)
Japan Geoscience Union
  • Ramos, N.T., Oguchi, T., 2024. Morphological Analysis of Alluvial Fans in Northern Luzon, Philippines (POSTER)
  • Komori, J., Meltzner, A., Aung, L.T., Quye-Sawyer, J., Tan, N.S., Gautam, R., Aw, Z., Neo, W.L., Yeo, J.Y., Pamintuan, A.D.,  Ramos, N.T., 2024. Holocene Crustal Deformation History along the Western Coast of Central Luzon, the Philippines, Deduced from Fossil Coral Microatolls (POSTER)
ERI International Workshop
  • Ramos, N.T., Claro, S.M.D., Ramirez, A.B.G., Mangahas-Flores, R.Z., Nawanao, L.P., Tubalado, E.M., Ishimura, D., Switzer, A.D., Shen, C.C., Baba, T., Chikasada, N., Satake, K., 2024. Exploring the Geological Record of Tsunamis in the Philippines: Current Knowledge and Research Opportunities (ORAL)
Taiwan - Philippines Summit
  • Ramos, N.T., Claro, S.M.D., Ramirez, A.B.G., Mangahas-Flores, R.Z., Nawanao, L.P., Tubalado, E.M., Ishimura, D., Switzer, A.D., Shen, C.C., Baba, T., Chikasada, N., Satake, K., 2024. Exploring the geological record of tsunamis and long-term sea-level changes in the Philippines: Current knowledge and research opportunities (ORAL)
International Geological Congress
  • Nawanao, L.P.J., Ramos, N.T., and Mangahas–Flores, R.Z. “Lithofacies, Petrographic, SEM-EDX, and Isotope Analyses of Emergent Late Holocene Beachrocks as Sea-Level Indicators along the Negros Trench Forearc, Philippines” 37th International Geological Congress, Busan, South Korea, 25-31 Aug 2024 (ORAL)
  • Punzalan, C.A.V., Ramos, N.T., San Jose, R.M., Bañares, L.R.S., Cantillep, A.M.F., Nawanao, L.P., 2024. Geological and Geomorphological Mapping in Northern Luzon, Philippines using Field Data and Red Relief Image Map (RRIM) (POSTER)
  • Ramos, N.T., Perez, J.S., Papiona, K.L., Daag, A.S., Punzalan, C.A.V., San Jose, R.M., Queaño, K.L., 2024. Tectonic Geomorphology and Paleoseismology of the East Solsona Basin Fault in Northern Luzon, Philippines (ORAL)
International Geoscience Programme (IGCP) Project 725: Forecasting Coastal Change
  • Ramos, N.T., Nawanao, L.P., Claro, S.M.D., Ramirez, A.B.G., Mangahas-Flores, R.Z., Cantillep, A.M.F., Joaquin, M.S.G.J., Tubalado, E.M., Pamintuan, A.D.A., Punzalan, C.A.V., Tsutusmi, H., Ishimura, D., Switzer, A.D., Shyu, J.B.H., Shen, C.C., Meltzner, A.J., Baba, T., & Satake, K., 2024. Exploring the Geological Record of Tsunamis and Long-Term Sea-Level Changes in the Philippines: Current Knowledge, Research Opportunities, and Challenges (KEYNOTE)
  • Allard, J.M.P., Matulac, M.A.A., Pacle, N.A.D., Gesta, J.L.E., & Ramos, N.T., 2024. Tectonic and Sea-Level Implications of Uplifted Marine Terraces in Siargao Islands, Philippines: Preliminary Results (POSTER)
  • Cantillep, A.M.F., Ramos, N.T., Shen, C.C., Sarmiento, L.F.O., Lim, J.T., Mitchell A.P., Gopal, A., Weil-Accardo, J., Komori, J., & Meltzner, A.J., 2024. Late Holocene Sea-Level Changes on Gabut Island, Ilocos Norte, Philippines: Insights From Fossil Coral Microatolls (POSTER)
  • Joaquin, M.S.G., Ramos, N.T., Nawanao, L.P., Shen, C.C., Hu, H.M., & Tsutsumi, H., 2024. Holocene Uplift Rates of Poro Island, Philippines Deduced From Emergent Marine Terraces and Coastal Notches (POSTER)
  • Komori, J., Meltzner, A., Aung, L.T., Quye-Sawyer, J., Tan, N.S., Gautam, R., Aw, Z., Neo, W.L., Yeo, J.Y., Pamintuan, A.D., & Ramos, N.T., 2024. Crustal Deformation History Along the Western Coast of Pangasinan, Central Luzon, Deduced From Coral Microatolls and Marine Terraces (ORAL)
  • Nawanao, L.P., Ramos, N.T., Mangahas-Flores, R.Z., Hu, H.M., & Shen, C.C., 2024. Tectonic Uplift and Relative Sea-Level Records Along the Negros Trench Forearc in the Early-to-Late Holocene (POSTER)
  • Tubalado, E.M., Ramos, N.T., Nawanao, L.P., Cantillep, A.M.F., Ramirez, A.B.G., Punzalan, C.A.V., Gong, S.Y., Yu, T.L., & Shen, C.C., 2024. Spatial Distribution, Morphology, and Displacement Mechanism of Carbonate Boulders in Pasuquin, Ilocos Norte (POSTER)
  • Wang, Y., Meltzner, A.J., Quye-Sawyer, J., Aung, L.T., & Ramos, N.T., 2024. Uplift, Tilting, and Underlying Structures of Coastal Northwestern Luzon, Philippines, Deduced From Marine Terraces (POSTER)
American Geophysical Union
  • Sarkawi, G.M., Meltzner, A.J., Lim, J.T., Gautam, R., Perry, M., Gopal, A., Mitchell, A.P., Sarmiento, L.F., Weil-Accardo, J., Maxwell, K.V., Komori, J., Li, X., Hu, H.M., Shen, C.C., Gong, S.Y., Lin, K., Wang, X., Lu, Y., & Ramos, N.T., 2024. Tectonic uplift and subsidence inferred from coral archives of relative sea level in Balaoan, La Union, Philippines (POSTER)

Local Conference Presentations (4)

  • Bañares, L.R.S., Dagatan, D.R.D., Joaquin, M.S.G., & Ramos, N.T., 2024. Shoreline Change Analysis of Two Contrasting Coastlines: Case Studies in Badoc, Ilocos Norte and REINA, Quezon (POSTER)
  • Balanial, N.M., Alcancia, M.L., Badillo, J.K.B., Megino, R.B., Agot, R.D.D., Motol, K.J.L., De Leon, F.A.G., Hugo, M.K.D., Herras, J.T., Mangahas-Flores, R.Z., Valera, G.T.V., Payot, B.D., Ramos, N.T., Armada, L.T., & Dimalanta, C.B., 2024. Revisiting the geology of western Cagayan Valley, northern Luzon, Philippines (ORAL)
  • Magalona, L.A.C., Papiona, K.L., Perez, J.S., Llamas, D.C.E., Legaspi-Delos Santos, C.J.M., Constantino, R.C.C., Costa, M.a.V., Cheng, J.A.C., Crobalde, D.Y.D., Tabigue, M.S., Naing, J.P.S., Acid, J.J.S., Lagunsad, K.D.B., & Ramos, N.T., 2024. Geomorphological, geophysical, and subsurface evidence of faulting along the Central Digos Fault, Davao del Sur, Philippines (POSTER)
  • Nawanao, L.P., Ramos, N.T., Mangahas-Flores, R.Z., Hu, H.M., & Shen, C.C., 2024. Coseismic and Aseismic Deformation with Variable Uplift Rates in the Negros Trench Forearc: Clues from Fossil Corals and Beachrocks (POSTER)

Visiting Researchers Hosted (1)

  • Prof. Takashi Oguchi, University of Tokyo

Faculty, Researchers, and Student Members

Graduate Members (as of December 2024)
  • Ricarido M. Saturay Jr. (Ph.D. Student)
  • Ross Dominic D. Agot
  • Ace Matther F. Cantilep
  • Mari Shylla G. Joaquin
  • Lanze Allen C. Magalona
  • Robelyn Z. Mangahas
  • Kristine Joy L. Motol
  • Lyndon P. Nawanao Jr.
  • Andrea Denise A. Pamintuan
  • Clos Anne V. Punzalan
  • Alec Benjamin G. Ramirez
  • Aufelyn T. Reolalas
  • Jane Stephanie S. Sachez
  • Edrian M. Tubalado
  • Hazel Andrea Vidal
Undergraduate Members (as of December 2024)
  • Agelica Africa
  • Zebedee Aguas
  • Jemimah Abalajon
  • Kryzell Carmona
  • Rex Gabrial Oribita
  • Tiara Liporada
  • Alena Taladua
Research Staff (as of December 2024)
  • Lyndon P. Nawanao Jr. - University Research Associate I
  • Andrea Denise A. Pamintuan - University Research Associate I
  • Clod Anne V. Punzalan (Proj GAIA)
  • Julie Ann Baldonado (Proj GAIA)

Recent Awards and Recognition

Noelynna T. Ramos, D.Sc.
  • Most Outstanding Kapampangan Award (Science and Technology), 11 Dec 2024
Lyndon P. Nawanao Jr.
  • GEOCON 2024 1st Place, Best Poster Presenter, 05 Dec 2024
  • 2024 UP Geology Merit Award (UPGMA) for Outstanding Geology Graduate Students, 31 May 2024


Research Laboratories