Geologic Hazards

Geologic Hazards

Utah Considers Stricter Rules for Development in Landslide Prone Areas

May 11, 2007 rockman Comments Off on Utah Considers Stricter Rules for Development in Landslide Prone Areas

The Utah Governer’s Geologic Hazards Working Group, which includes no one from the private sector, is considering some model legislation that can be adopted by cities and counties to make it more difficult for developers to build in landslide prone areas. Also, among other things, the group may recommend that Utah adopt stricter grading requirements based on the experiences of California. Read on for more info.

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Geologic Hazards

Machu Picchu at risk from Landslides

May 10, 2007 rockman Comments Off on Machu Picchu at risk from Landslides

The world famous archaeological site, Machu Picchu in the Peruvian Andes Mountains may be at risk from landslides. A paper published by three Japanese researchers describes their field work and instrumentation of the site and their analyses. Read on for more info. (Photo by Jungle_Boy) 

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Geologic Hazards

Assessment of Volcanic Hazard in Yellowstone

April 30, 2007 rockman Comments Off on Assessment of Volcanic Hazard in Yellowstone

[Update 5/10/07] A small swarm of  earthquakes measuring up to 2.7 on the Richter Scale was recorded in the Yellowstone area on  Wed. May 2, 2007 [/Update]

The USGS has released an Open File Report (OFR) entitled Preliminary Assessment of Volcanic and Hydrothermal Hazards in Yellowstone National Park and Vicinity. Possible future violent events in the active hydrothermal, magmatic, and tectonic system of Yellowstone National Park pose potential hazards to park visitors and infrastructure. Most of the national park and vicinity are sparsely populated, but significant numbers of people as well as park resources could nevertheless be at risk from these hazards. Read on for the link.

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Geologic Hazards

Europe’s Nuclear Waste Connundrum

April 30, 2007 rockman Comments Off on Europe’s Nuclear Waste Connundrum

The German Federal Institute for Geosciences and Natural Resources on Wednesday released a report indicating that a large chunk of northern Germany, and a bit of the south as well, is geologically suitable for the indefinite storage of highly radioactive nuclear waste. Read more for details.

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Geologic Hazards

Drillers target earthquake zone

April 30, 2007 rockman Comments Off on Drillers target earthquake zone

Drillers and researchers are attempting to drill up to 7km into an active earthquake zone off the coast of Japan. The  Nankai Trough Seismogenic Zone is at a subduction zone boundary and is thought to […]

Geologic Hazards

Volcano Erupts in Colombia

April 28, 2007 rockman Comments Off on Volcano Erupts in Colombia

NEIVA, Colombia — Thousands of people were evacuated after a long-dormant volcano erupted provoking avalanches and floods that swept away houses and bridges. The Nevado del Huila volcano’s eruptions were its first on record since […]

Geologic Hazards

Residents of Astoria Oregon Learn Hard Lesson on Landslides

April 18, 2007 rockman Comments Off on Residents of Astoria Oregon Learn Hard Lesson on Landslides

Update: Feds approve disaster relief funding for Astoria Slide

Some of you might remember Astoria Oregon as the picturesque backdrop for the movies Goonies or Kindergarten Cop. But now it might be known for something else: being the most landslide prone city on the northern Pacific coast. (Photo by ALEX PAJUNAS – The Daily Astorian)

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Geologic Hazards

New Madrid Fault Zone Controversey

April 17, 2007 rockman Comments Off on New Madrid Fault Zone Controversey

Geologists and seismologists have long studied the New Madrid Seismic Zone after three magnitude 8 earthquakes struck the area in the Winter of 1811-1812. However a forthcoming report by Seth Stein and published by the American Geological Society contends the hazard has been overstated. His colleagues at the USGS and the University of Memphis disagree.

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