Hi, I'm a geophysicist working on fibre-optic sensing and geohazard monitoring, based in Stockholm!
Yawar Hussain
Geophysicist ( Fibre-Optic Sensing / Seismology / Geohazards )
Work
Yawar is a geophysicist based in Stockholm with a background spanning near-surface geophysics, seismic monitoring and geohazard characterisation, built over postdoctoral appointments in Brazil, Belgium, Italy and the United States. He currently works as a Specialist in Infrastructure Hazard Monitoring at HydroResearch Solutions AB, supporting fibre-optic monitoring (DTS, DSS, DAS) of dams and embankments from field deployment through to interpretation. Over 35 peer-reviewed publications, an H-index of 19 and 1284 citations (Scopus).
Bio
2009–2011M.Sc. in Geophysics, Quaid-i-Azam University, Islamabad, Pakistan.
2012–2014M.Phil in HydroGeophysics, Quaid-i-Azam University, Islamabad, Pakistan.
2014–2018Ph.D. in Geotechnical Engineering, University of Brasília, Brazil.
2018–2025Postdoctoral research across Brazil, Belgium, Italy and the United States — fibre-optic sensing, seismic monitoring and geohazard characterisation.
2026–presentSpecialist, Infrastructure Hazard Monitoring, HydroResearch Solutions AB, Stockholm, Sweden.
Interests
Distributed fibre-optic sensing (DAS/DTS/DSS), near-surface geophysics, ambient-noise seismology, geohazard and dam-safety monitoring, fieldwork, and mentoring early-career researchers.
On the web
Fieldwork
DAS/DTS installs, seismic surveys, geohazard site work
Editorial Roles
Handling Editor, Seismica; Associate Editor, IJEEG
Publications
35+ peer-reviewed papers on Scopus
Get in touch
Happy to talk fibre-optic monitoring, near-surface geophysics, or postdoc/industry opportunities.
Works
Employment
Specialist Infrastructure Hazard Monitoring (01/2026 to Present)
HydroResearch Solutions AB, Stockholm, Sweden. Supporting the expansion of fibre-optic monitoring technologies (DTS, DSS, DAS) through integrated field measurements, system operation, and data evaluation. Contribute to acoustic monitoring, quality control, alarm follow-up, and technical reporting, ensuring end-to-end dam monitoring from measurement to interpretation.
Research Associate (11/2024 to 06/2025)
Department of Sustainable Earth Systems Sciences, University of Texas at Dallas, USA. Engaged in near-surface geophysics and modeling to study the Pecos Valley Aquifer System in Texas. Worked with various versions of the PulseEKKO GPR series, configuring them for both field operations and instructional demonstrations. Also taught a graduate-level course on structural health monitoring and completed an advanced level Postdoctoral Teaching Certificate.
Post-doctoral Researcher (01/2023 to 11/2024)
Department of Earth Science, 'Sapienza' University of Rome, Italy. Analysis of data from multiparametric monitoring systems for detection of slope instabilities affecting strategic infrastructures and cultural heritage (supervision: Dr. S. Martino).
Visiting Professor (04/2024 to 04/2024)
University of Brasilia, Brazil. Application of innovative shallow geophysical techniques, especially GPR, to study geomorphological targets in tropical environments.
Post-doctoral Researcher (01/2021 to 12/2022)
Department of Geology, University of Liege, Belgium. Geophysical applications for the site selection of the Einstein Telescope installation and mega landslide in El Hierro (supervision: Dr. H.B. Havenith).
Post-doctoral Researcher (01/2020-12/2020)
Environmental Engineering and Earth Sciences, Clemson University, USA. Deformation/strain recorded by state-of-the-art strainmeter during an injection test in Oklahoma (supervision: Dr. L. Murdoch).
Post-doctoral Researcher (08/2018-01/2020)
National Center for Research and Conservation of Caves-CECAV-ICMBio, Brasilia, Brazil. Geophysical (GPR and ERT) and geotechnical characterization of subsurface caves for geohazard assessment.
Projects & Grants
Hanging Wall Monitoring by DAS
LKAB mine, Kiruna, Sweden. DAS survey for hanging-wall stability monitoring, combining passive ambient-noise interferometry (dv/v, resonance-frequency tracking) with active-source MASW dispersion analysis for shear-wave velocity characterisation.
Multiscale Geophysical and Petrophysical Monitoring of Coastal Cliffs and Urban Slopes, NE Brazil
Submitted 2026, pending decision — CNPq (Brazil). Consortium: UFRN, UFBA, UFC, with Civil Defence partners (CODESAL, Defesa Civil do RN). Study areas: Pipa Beach cliffs (RN) and Salvador urban slopes (BA). Role: collaborating researcher — remote sensing, shallow geophysics, passive seismic monitoring, petrophysics.
CAPESPrint international mobility grant
Visiting professor, University of Brasilia, Brazil.
Wallonia-Brussels International (WBI) Excellence Grant
Geophysical applications for the Einstein Telescope site selection and El Hierro landslide.
CAPES postdoctoral grant
Geophysical and geotechnical monitoring of mass movement dynamics.
ICMBio and Vale S.A. postdoctoral grant
Applied geophysics for karst vulnerability assessment.
Editorial Contributions
- Handling Editor — Seismica
- Associate Editor — International Journal of Economic and Environmental Geology (IJEEG), 2026–present
- Topic Editor — Discover Geosciences, Springer
- Topic Editor — Frontiers in Earth Science
- Review Editor — Geohazards and Georisk, Frontiers in Earth Science
- Young Editorial Board Member — Natural Hazards Research; Discover Hazards
- Reviewer — Geoscience Communication
Education
- 2014–2018Ph.D., Geotechnical Engineering — University of Brasilia, Brazil
- 2012–2014M.Phil, HydroGeophysics — Quaid-i-Azam University, Islamabad, Pakistan
- 2009–2011M.Sc., Geophysics — Quaid-i-Azam University, Islamabad, Pakistan
- 2007–2009B.Sc. — University of the Punjab, Lahore, Pakistan
Selected Conferences
- Human-Induced Seismicity Front in Texas and Risk Preparedness, 2025 NSF GAGE/SAGE Community Science Workshop, USA (poster).
- Geophysical investigations to quantify seismic hazard at Epidaurus, Kalapodi and Egina Kolona (Greece), ESC-2024, Corfu.
- Geohazard Identification at Le Capore Spring, Central Apennines, Italy, AIGAA Napoli 2024 (talk).
- Multi-scale monitoring of rock mass deformations via Fiber Bragg Grating array, Eurock 2025, Norway.
- Landslide detection by integrating electrical, seismic and interferometric techniques, San Vito Romano, GNGTS 2025, Italy.
- The near-surface velocity structures of an incipient volcanic flank collapse, EGU General Assembly 2022.
- Site Characterization of Hillslopes in Ribeirao Contagem Fluvial Valley, SAGEEP 2019, USA.
Fieldwork
Field deployments spanning dam and mine monitoring, seismic surveys and geohazard site investigations across Sweden, Italy, Belgium, Spain, Brazil and the United States.
Field DAS installation at the LKAB mine, Kiruna, Sweden.
Field DTS installation at the Boliden and Kiruna mine sites, Sweden.
Working with SmartSolo nodes used in active seismic refraction and passive seismic.
Installation and maintenance of Q330 Kinemetrics sensor at ACUTO Field Lab.
PulseEKKO GPR series from Sensor & Software and GSSI.
Geophysical data acquisition at the San Andres landslide in El Hierro, Spain.
Study of Sobradinho landslides using dense arrangement of seismometers, ERT, MASW, GPR and soil sampling.
Blog
No posts yet — this space is reserved for write-ups on fibre-optic sensing, near-surface geophysics and fieldwork notes. Check back soon, or get in touch if you'd like to be notified.
Publications
35+ peer-reviewed papers (Scopus H-index 19, 1284 citations), grouped by topic.
Geophysics in Geohazards 20
- Xavier, et al. Hussain, et al. (under review). Impact assessment of infrastructure exposure to weak motion vibrations, Arequipa, Peru. Brazilian Journal of Geophysics.
- Yang, et al. Hussain, et al. (submitted). Detection and monitoring of dam seepage by telluric electric field frequency selection method. Geoenvironmental Disasters.
- Sokolicek, et al. Hussain, et al. (2025). Engineering-geological and geophysical surveys for archaeological risk assessment at Aegina Kolonna, Greece. Italian Journal of Engineering Geology and Environment.
- Innocenti, et al. Hussain, et al. (2025). Geophysical reconnaissance of the Pays de Herve landslides. Landslides. ↗
- Antonielli, et al. Hussain, et al. (2025). Local seismic response in the historical centre of Nafplio, Greece. Natural Hazards. ↗
- Cárdenas-Soto, et al. Hussain, et al. (2021). Seismic ambient noise tomography, Quinta Colorada, Chapultepec, Mexico. Natural Hazards. ↗
- Qian, et al. Hussain, et al. (2024). Impact of environmental stressors on jointed rock cliffs by acoustic emission sensing, Acuto Field Laboratory. Rock Mechanics and Rock Engineering.
- Hussain, et al. (2022). Review on the geophysical and UAV-based methods applied to landslides. Remote Sensing. ↗
- Klimeš, Hussain, et al. (2023). Internal structures and geotechnical rock properties of the giant San Andrés landslide, El Hierro. Remote Sensing. ↗
- Hamza, et al. Hussain, et al. (2019). Geohazard assessment of landslides in South Brazil: case study. Geotechnical and Geological Engineering. ↗
- Hussain, et al. (2019). Multiple geophysical techniques for investigation and monitoring of Sobradinho landslide, Brazil. Sustainability. ↗
- Hussain, et al. (2019). Monitoring of Sobradinho landslide by time-lapse interferometry. Brazilian Journal of Geology. ↗
- Hussain, et al. (2020). Seasonal variation in Rayleigh wave ellipticity, Sobradinho landslide. Earth Sciences Research Journal. ↗
- Hussain, et al. (2019). Typological analysis of slidequakes emitted from landslides. REM — International Engineering Journal. ↗
- Hamza, et al. Hussain, et al. (2022). Subgrade reaction for closely-spaced shallow foundations on sand. Proceedings of the ICE — Geotechnical Engineering. ↗
- Hussain, et al. (2020). Characterization of Sobradinho landslide using MASW and ERT methods. REM — International Engineering Journal. ↗
- Hussain, et al. (2020). Seismic signature of mudflow tremor from Brumadinho tailings dam failure. REM — International Engineering Journal. ↗
- Hussain, et al. (2019). Nanoseismic monitoring in seismic energy characterization. Journal of Engineering Research. ↗
- Condori, et al. Hussain (2022). Urban ambient noise before/during/after COVID-19 lockdown, Peruvian capital. Brazilian Journal of Geophysics. ↗
- Akhter, et al. Hussain (2018). Petrophysical relationship for density prediction, Meyal oilfield, Pakistan. Geodesy and Geodynamics. ↗
HydroGeophysics 11
- Yang, et al. Hussain, et al. (under review). Comparative experiment of telluric field frequency selection and audio-magnetotelluric method. Discover Geosciences.
- Zhu, et al. Hussain, et al. (2026). Rapid in-field processing of telluric electric field frequency selection method (TEFSM) data. Transactions on Electromagnetic Spectrum. ↗
- Yang, et al. Hussain, et al. (2025). Feasibility study of telluric magnetic field frequency selection method in groundwater prospecting. Journal of Applied Geophysics. ↗
- Yang, et al. Hussain. (2023). Anomaly genesis of frequency selection method. Pure and Applied Geophysics. ↗
- Hussain, et al. (2023). Seismic signatures and site characterization of an intermittent stream. Environmental Earth Science. ↗
- Hussain, et al. (2022). Hydrogeophysical characterization of fractured aquifers, Federal District of Brazil. Applied Sciences. ↗
- Hussain, et al. (2021). Estimation of total groundwater reserves and weathered/fault zones, Federal District of Brazil. Open Geosciences. ↗
- Nunes, et al. Hussain, et al. (2019). GPR for alluvial/colluvial material differentiation, Ribeirão Contagem Valley. Brazilian Journal of Geomorphology. ↗
- Hussain, et al. (2017). Groundwater quality by electrical resistivity, Thal Doab Aquifer, Pakistan. Modeling Earth Systems and Environment. ↗
- Welitom, Hussain, et al. (preprint). Georadar application for site characterization of a waste disposal on quartzite soil. ↗
- Gao, Hussain, et al. (under review). Georadar responses on environmentally significant karst landform. Discover Geoscience.
Karst Studies 6
- Gao, Hussain, et al. (2023). Catchment scale GPR application potential zonation, SW China. Environmental Earth Science. ↗
- Hussain, et al. (2020). Detection of cover collapse doline and epikarst features, Tarimba Cave, Brazil. Water. ↗
- Hussain, et al. (2020). Geophysical methods to identify cavities, sinkholes and water infiltration pathways. Water. ↗
- Ferreira, Hussain, et al. (2023). UAV-based doline mapping in Brazilian karst. Open Geoscience. ↗
- Ferreira, Hussain, et al. (2022). Semi-automatic approach for doline mapping in Brazilian covered karst. Acta Carsologica. ↗
- Caldeira, et al. Hussain (2021). Late Quaternary clastic sediment deposition, Tarimba Cave, Central Brazil. Quaternary International. ↗
Climate Change and Water Resources 14
- Hussain, et al. (2017). Vulnerability of groundwater to contamination, unconfined alluvial aquifer, Pakistan. Environmental Earth Sciences. ↗
- Hussain, et al. (2017). Vulnerability assessment of an agro-stressed aquifer, source-pathway-receptor model in GIS. Modeling Earth Systems and Environment. ↗
- Aslam, Hussain, et al. (2017). Vulnerability and impact assessment of extreme climatic event, southern Punjab, Pakistan. Science of the Total Environment. ↗
- Aslam, Hussain, et al. (2018). Integrated climate change risk assessment, southern Punjab, Pakistan. Science of the Total Environment. ↗
- Dou, et al. Hussain, et al. (2020). Sampling strategies for landslide susceptibility with deep learning. Science of the Total Environment. ↗
- Satgé, Hussain, et al. (2019). Impacts of droughts and agricultural intensification, Altiplano water resources. Agricultural and Forest Meteorology. ↗
- Satgé, Hussain, et al. (2020). Reliability of SM2RAIN precipitation datasets over arid regions. International Journal of Climatology. ↗
- Satgé, Hussain, et al. (2017). GPM mission satellite rainfall products, Bolivian watersheds. Remote Sensing. ↗
- Satgé, Hussain, et al. (2018). GPM IMERG and GSMaP precipitation estimates over Pakistan. Remote Sensing. ↗
- Hussain, et al. (2018). Performance of CMORPH, TMPA, and PERSIANN rainfall datasets over Pakistan. Theoretical and Applied Climatology. ↗
- Dilawar, Hussain, et al. (2022). GIS-based hazard/exposure/vulnerability method for drought risk, Karachi. Geomatics, Natural Hazards and Risk. ↗
- Dilawar, Hussain, et al. (2021). Variability in droughts, Agro-Ecological Zones of Pakistan. Sustainability. ↗
- Dilawar, Hussain, et al. (2021). Spatiotemporal shifts in thermal climate, urban cover changes, Punjab. Geomatics, Natural Hazards and Risk. ↗
- Dilawar, et al. Hussain, et al. (2021). WRF model land surface schemes, heat wave simulations, Karachi. Sustainability. ↗