Video Courtesy of KSL.com
Geologic Hazards
City of Chilliwack, British Columbia to Pay $18M for Up to 42 Homes On Landslide
The Chilliwack Times reports that the City of Chilliwack will pay 80% of the assessed home value for up to 42 homes in an Eastern Hillside subdivision that are located on a slow moving landslide. The issue was first noticed in 2001 and several homes have had significant damage, but most are currently undamaged. The City denies any responsibility, but it’s legal counsel recommended a settlement. (Photo by Paul J. Henderson, Chilliwack Times)
Normally the geotechnical engineer for the subdivision would be held accountable. But apparently the slip surface is located 30-m below grade, much deeper than borings for a typical investigation for a subdivision. I wonder if there were any geologists consulted? Click through for a Google map view of the area and you can do your own armchair photogeology quarterbacking! Your heart does go out to the people losing their homes, they had no idea. But it could be worse, they could be in La Jolla and be getting squat.
Available Resources
Displacement Monitoring from Satellite Images for Achoma Landslide, Peru
Some friends at NHAZCA S.r.l. in Rome, Drs. Serena Moretto and Paolo Mazzanti, have been demonstrating their company’s technology to use satellite imagery to produce highly accurate displacement measurements and maps. Serena recently posted a […]
Failures
Homeowners Can’t Nail Builder for Landslide
A federal judge ruled that the property owners can’t sue Pulte homes for the failure of a retaining wall and a subsequent slope movement (they refer to it as a landslide). The failure occurred in […]