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.

A magnitude 6.0 earthquake struck near Napa, California on August 24, 2014.
Geologic Hazards

Magnitude 6.0 Earthquake in Napa, California

August 25, 2014 rockman Comments Off on Magnitude 6.0 Earthquake in Napa, California

Early Sunday morning, a 6.0 Magnitude earthquake struck near Napa California lasting 10 to 20 seconds, sending 120 people to the hospital and damaging buildings, breaking water mains, disrupting power distribution, and breaking gas lines […]

Malcolm Drilling's clamshell bucket taking a scoop out while excavating the access pit
Project Related

Update on Access Pit for Repairing Bertha TBM

August 5, 2014 rockman Comments Off on Update on Access Pit for Repairing Bertha TBM

There hasn’t been much to report recently for the Alaskan Way Viaduct Tunnel Project in Seattle. As you probably know, Bertha has not advanced since about December of 2013 after drilling through an abandoned steel […]

Teetering Cliff House Deliberately Set On Fire
Weekend CUP

Catch Up Post (CUP) for August 4, 2014

August 5, 2014 rockman Comments Off on Catch Up Post (CUP) for August 4, 2014

Here are a few articles I didn’t get a chance to blog or tweet about. Enjoy! $41 Million Contract Awarded to Hayward Baker Related to Seattle’s Elliott Bay Seawall Project – Source: Digital Journal Scientists […]

Example historical USGS topo map of Highlands, TX from 1912
Available Resources

USGS Historical Topographic Map Explorer

August 4, 2014 rockman Comments Off on USGS Historical Topographic Map Explorer

Esri announced earlier this summer that they were making over 175,000 historical maps from the USGS available online. The maps are available to anyone to view online using their web map viewer. Or ArcGIS online […]

Geologic Hazards

Crazy Rock Slide in China (Video)

July 31, 2014 rockman Comments Off on Crazy Rock Slide in China (Video)

According to the Landslide Blog, this rockfall video was taken in Maoxian County in Sichuan Province of China on or around July 17, 2014. It shows a very dangerous rockfall event with people running from […]

Liebherr's foundation drill rig equipment simulator in action
Available Resources

Liebherr Creates Foundation Drill Rig Simulator

July 25, 2014 rockman Comments Off on Liebherr Creates Foundation Drill Rig Simulator

Equipment manufacturer Liebherr has created a new simulator to allow operators to train on foundation drilling equipment virtually. The simulator is based on other simulators created by Liebherr, and includes things like a real construction […]

View of failed Baltimore retaining wall before soldier pile wall construction
Project Related

Hayward Baker Constructs Temporary Emergency Earth Retention for Landslide Repairs Near Train Tracks in Baltimore

July 22, 2014 rockman Comments Off on Hayward Baker Constructs Temporary Emergency Earth Retention for Landslide Repairs Near Train Tracks in Baltimore

Hayward Baker was among the contractors called in for emergency repairs to a failed retaining wall in Baltimore that destabilized a slope, causing a landslide that enveloped cars and threatened a railroad track below. The […]