These maps cover Maricopa, Pinal, Pima and Cochise counties. The show known and previously reported earth fissures at a 1:250,000 scale suitable for planning purposes. The AZGS is currently working on higher resolution mapping of earth fissures that will be displayed on 1:24,000 scale. These detailed maps will be released as they are completed.
Related Articles
Earth Fissures in the News
Arizona State Geologist Lee Allison blogged about some recent news coverage of earth fissures as a result of the AZGS’ release of the first of their earth fissure maps. Here is what he said:
The East Valley Tribune published an extensive set of news features on earth fissures in their Sunday edition, including timeline, maps, videos, and an animation of how fissures form.
KPHO, CBS channel 5 in Phoenix, also has a nice video segment with great aerial shots of the 2005 fissure in Chandler Heights that triggered the recent interest in this hazard.
Here is the video he was referring to.
Arizona Geologic Survey Releases Preliminary Report on Carbon Sequestration Potential
Embankment Dams in Fissure Risk Zones
Is it possible to safely rehabilitate dams in earth fissure risk zones to continue to provide economical flood protection to the public, or does the risk of dam failure due to an undetected fissure present too great a threat to the public? Read the article to find out the view of the Arizona Department of Water Resources.