News

News, announcements, policy updates, spotlighted websites, software updates and other info that may be of interest to practicing geotechnical engineers, engineering geologists, geophysicists, hydrogeologists and related professions.

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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Weekend CUP

Weekend CUP October 12, 2009

October 12, 2009 rockman Comments Off on Weekend CUP October 12, 2009

More images of the earthquake-triggered landslides in Sumatra NAVTEQ(R) Maps Integrated With ESRI Software and Services Showcased at the 2009 ESRI Latin American User Conference – Demoed on a Trimble Yuma tablet rugged tablet computer […]

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Miscellaneous

Happy Earth Science Week – Oct 11-17

October 12, 2009 rockman Comments Off on Happy Earth Science Week – Oct 11-17

This week is Earth Science Week sponsored by the American Geological Institute. The theme for this year according to EarthScienceWeek.org is “Understanding Climate”. Their objectives are: To engage students in discovering the Earth sciences. To […]

Soledad Mountain Road is collapsed and several homes are damaged or destroyed by a landslide on Mount Soledad in La Jolla. JOHN GIBBINS / Union-Tribune
Failures

Judge Rules City of San Diego Not Responsible for Mt. Soledad Landslide in 2007

October 7, 2009 rockman Comments Off on Judge Rules City of San Diego Not Responsible for Mt. Soledad Landslide in 2007

Soledad Mountain Road is collapsed and several homes are damaged or destroyed by a landslide on Mount Soledad in La Jolla. JOHN GIBBINS / Union-TribuneThe 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.

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Directiona core drilling
Miscellaneous

Directional Core Drilling for Tunneling

October 6, 2009 rockman Comments Off on Directional Core Drilling for Tunneling

When you’re doing a geological investigation for a tunnel, only having vertical or traditional angled core holes only gives you a very limited picture of geology of the rock mass through which you’re going to […]

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Weekend CUP

Weekend CUP October 5, 2009

October 5, 2009 rockman Comments Off on Weekend CUP October 5, 2009

Niagara Tunnel update from Ontario Geofish Fate of Miami tunnel project is in limbo again (as funding was not secured) – Miami Herald via ASCE SmartBrief Caltrans Could Start Work On Caldecott Tunnel Expansion By […]

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Weekend CUP

Weekend (Thursday) CUP for October 1, 2009

October 2, 2009 rockman Comments Off on Weekend (Thursday) CUP for October 1, 2009

The International Society of Soil Mechanics and Geotechnical Engineering (ISSMGE) has established European Technical Committee 10 (ETC10) to "evaluate the geotechnical design process covered by Eurocode 7 by carrying out a number of design examples". […]