Geologic Hazards

naches_landslide
Geologic Hazards

Nile Landslide Destroys Large Stretch of Washington SR 410

October 14, 2009 rockman Comments Off on Nile Landslide Destroys Large Stretch of Washington SR 410

naches_landslideA massive landslide has destroyed at least a quarter-mile of State Route 410 in Washington State, about 10 miles from Naches in Yakima County. It has also damaged about 12 structures including residential homes and quarry buildings and diverted the Naches River. The media has been referring to it as the Naches Slide, but the personnel from the Washington Department of Natural Resources, Division of Geology and Earth Resources who have began investigating the slide as well as WSDOT are calling it the Nile Landslide. (Photo by WAStateDNR-DoGaER)

Click through for photos and videos. For more info on the slide, check out the Sliding Thought Blog, an unofficial blog by Isabelle Sarikhan of the WAStateDNR – Division of Geology and Earth Resources “aka” the Washington Geologic Survey. She’s been actively investigating the slide along with some colleagues.

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chilliwack_bc_landslide_neighborhood
Geologic Hazards

City of Chilliwack, British Columbia to Pay $18M for Up to 42 Homes On Landslide

October 12, 2009 rockman Comments Off on City of Chilliwack, British Columbia to Pay $18M for Up to 42 Homes On Landslide

chilliwack_bc_landslide_neighborhood 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.

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No Picture
Geologic Hazards

Mega Earthquake Could Strike Closer to Seattle

August 20, 2009 rockman Comments Off on Mega Earthquake Could Strike Closer to Seattle

Preliminary results from a study related to the subduction of the Juan De Fuca Plate beneath the North American Plate off the coast of Washington and British Columbia indicate that the potential mega-thrust earthquake could […]

No Picture
Geologic Hazards

Landslides in China – Sichuan and Guangxi

July 30, 2009 rockman Comments Off on Landslides in China – Sichuan and Guangxi

In Sichuan Province, China, they were still in the recovery process from the devastating 2008 earthquake when a series of landslides, rockfall, mudslides and flooding has hit the region. Dave’s Landslide Blog has excellent coverage as usual on the slide pictured here, which blocked a major road, hindering rescue efforts. (Photo Xinhua/Jiang Hongjing)

A remarkable video of the aftermath of a bridge destroyed by one of these rockfall / landslide events is shown below. The destruction is pretty profound. (Via Geology.com)

Also on Dave’s blog, a landslide in Guangxi caused a train to derail, killing 4 people and injuring 50. My heart truly goes out to the people of those portions of China, particularly in Sichuan as they have been through so much.

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