Given the earthquake risk from the Wasatch Fault in Utah and the already steep landslide prone terrain in the area, there is definitely cause for concern about the potential for major landslides in the region. The video linked below describes several slow moving landslides happening right now in developed areas. The news story was put together by Salt Lake City ABC affiliate ABC4 with some links and a few images about the geologic hazard of landslides along the Wasatch Front. Its typical media sensationalism on some levels, but all things considered, its not bad. The photo thumbnail at the left is a pre-development aerial photo of a pretty spectacular landslide deposit and the associated geologic map. The image below shows the same area with the current layout of expensive homes that have been developed. I bet the homeowners have a great view from on top of all that landslide debris! (Photos from ABC4.com)
Related Articles
Judge Rules City of San Diego Not Responsible for Mt. Soledad Landslide in 2007
The Mt. Soledad Landslide in a La Jolla California neighborhood destroyed 3 houses and damaged others and it also shut down Mt. Soledad Road for an entire year after it occurred in October of 2007. Residents blamed the city of San Diego, and 65 homeowners filed suit, claiming that leaking pipes caused the landslide and the City should cover damages.
Last week, a superior court judge ruled in favor of the City of San Diego. So far I have not seen anything indicating if the residents plan to appeal the ruling.
One interesting note regarding the trial, the City released an 8-minute cell phone video taken by a geotechnical engineer or drilling contractor employed by the City that showed the road cracking and buckling just prior to failure. The homeowners used the video to try to make their own case. Click through for a portion of the video and a link to the full one.
KICT Develops 3D Liquefaction Hazard Map
Newswise — Korea Institute of Civil Engineering and Building Technology (KICT, president Kim Byung-suk), has successfully developed a “three-dimensional liquefaction hazard map” that visually presents ground liquefaction forecasts in the event of an earthquake. Liquefaction is […]
Rockslide Closes I-40 in Western North Carolina
A massive rockslide closed a busy interstate route last week near the border between Tennessee and North Carolina in Pigeon River Gorge. This area has had landslide problems in the past. In 1997 a rockslide in the same area closed the freeway for approximately 3 months. (Photo from Landslides Under a Microscope Blog, original source not cited)
I have yet to see volume estimates, but The Charlotte Observer quoted a highway patrol officer who was at the scene:
He said the roadway is covered by a gigantic mound of debris, from pebbles up to house-sized boulders. The pile is 40 to 50 feet high, Williamson estimated, and hundreds of feet long.
More info and video after the break. […]