
Sander Osinga

The subsurface offers a world of opportunities for our future, from sustainable energy to resource extraction. These activities can sometimes lead to unintended side effects, such as earthquakes and subsidence. Through my research, I make risks understandable and predictable, ensuring we can continue to utilize the subsurface safely.
As an expert at the intersection of geomechanics and society, I am fascinated by the interaction between our deep subsurface and the world above. The relationship between what happens beneath our feet, how human activity influences it, and the impact this has on the people living on that very ground, is what drives me.
In my work, I focus specifically on the risks of earthquakes and subsidence. In doing so, I bridge the gap between subsurface processes and above-ground reality: what do these ground movements actually mean for the built environment? Collaborating with geologists, seismologists, and engineers, I develop models that allow us to look ahead, making risks clear and manageable. Together, we are building a safe and future-proof living environment in which the subsurface can make a positive contribution to the energy transition and a sustainable future.
Utrecht - Princetonlaan
Princetonlaan 6
3584 CB Utrecht
The Netherlands
Postal address
P.O. Box 80015
3508 TA Utrecht
The Netherlands