2016GUIDELINES FOR INVESTIGATING GEOLOGIC HAZARDS AND PREPARING ENGINEERING-GEOLOGY REPORTS, WITH A SUGGESTED APPROACH TO GEOLOGIC-HAZARD ORDINANCES IN UTAH

2016GUIDELINES FOR INVESTIGATING GEOLOGIC HAZARDS AND PREPARING ENGINEERING-GEOLOGY REPORTS, WITH A SUGGESTED APPROACH TO GEOLOGIC-HAZARD ORDINANCES IN UTAH
Author: Steve D. Bowman
Publisher: Utah Geological Survey
Total Pages: 217
Release: 2016-09-21
Genre: Science
ISBN: 1557919291

The purpose of these guidelines for investigating geologic hazards and preparing engineering-geology reports, is to provide recommendations for appropriate, minimum investigative techniques, standards, and report content to ensure adequate geologic site characterization and geologic-hazard investigations to protect public safety and facilitate risk reduction. Such investigations provide important information on site geologic conditions that may affect or be affected by development, as well as the type and severity of geologic hazards at a site, and recommend solutions to mitigate the effects and the cost of the hazards, both at the time of construction and over the life of the development. The accompanying suggested approach to geologic-hazard ordinances and school-site investigation guidelines are intended as an aid for land-use planning and regulation by local Utah jurisdictions and school districts, respectively. Geologic hazards that are not accounted for in project planning and design often result in additional unforeseen construction and/or future maintenance costs, and possible injury or death.

Geologic Hazards of the Magna Quadrangle, Salt Lake County, Utah

Geologic Hazards of the Magna Quadrangle, Salt Lake County, Utah
Author: Jessica J. Castleton
Publisher: Utah Geological Survey
Total Pages: 78
Release: 2011-01-20
Genre: Hazardous geographic environments
ISBN: 155791849X

This study contains 10 1:24,000 scale GIS based geologic hazard maps that include liquafaction, surface fault rupture, flood hazard, landslides, rock-fall, indoor radon potential, collapsible soils, expanisve soils, shallow bedrock and shallow groundwater potential. Also includes a 73 page accompanying report that describes the hazards and provides background information on data sources, the nature and distribution of hazards, and possible hazard reducation measures.

Investigation of land subsidence and earth fissures in Cedar Valley, Iron County, Utah

Investigation of land subsidence and earth fissures in Cedar Valley, Iron County, Utah
Author: Paul Inkenbrandt
Publisher: Utah Geological Survey
Total Pages: 122
Release: 2014-03-12
Genre: Base flow (Hydrology).
ISBN: 1557918910

This 116-page report presents the results of an investigation by the Utah Geological Survey of land subsidence and earth fissures in Cedar Valley, Iron County, Utah. Basin-fill sediments of the Cedar Valley Aquifer contain a high percentage of fine-grained material susceptible to compaction upon dewatering. Groundwater discharge in excess of recharge (groundwater mining) has lowered the potentiometric surface in Cedar Valley as much as 114 feet since 1939. Groundwater mining has caused permanent compaction of fine-grained sediments of the Cedar Valley aquifer, which has caused the land surface to subside, and a minimum of 8.3 miles of earth fissures to form. Recently acquired interferometric synthetic aperture radar imagery shows that land subsidence has affected approximately 100 miĀ² in Cedar Valley, but a lack of accurate historical benchmark elevation data over much of the valley prevents its detailed quantification. Continued groundwater mining and resultant subsidence will likely cause existing fissures to lengthen and new fissures to form which may eventually impact developed areas in Cedar Valley. This report also includes possible aquifer management options to help mitigate subsidence and fissure formation, and recommended guidelines for conducting subsidence-related hazard investigations prior to development.

Earthquake Probabilities for the Wasatch Front Region in Utah, Idaho, and Wyoming

Earthquake Probabilities for the Wasatch Front Region in Utah, Idaho, and Wyoming
Author: Working Group on Utah Earthquake Probabilities
Publisher:
Total Pages: 164
Release: 2016
Genre: Earthquake hazard analysis
ISBN: 9781557919236

This publication presents probabilistic earthquake forecasts developed by the Working Group on Utah Earthquake Probabilities which developed 30,50, and 100 year forecasts that include combined time dependent probabilities of large earthquakes for the five central segments of the Wasatch Fault Zone.

Geologic Hazards of Monroe City, Sevier County, Utah

Geologic Hazards of Monroe City, Sevier County, Utah
Author: Richard E. Giraud
Publisher: Utah Geological Survey
Total Pages: 56
Release: 2004
Genre: Geology
ISBN: 1557917035

Geologic hazards are naturally occurring processes that present a risk to life and property. This report provides information for the Monroe City area, in Utah's central Sevier Valley, to reduce losses from geologic hazards. Surficial-geologic mapping provides the basis on which individual geologic hazards are identified and mapped. Alluvial-fan and basin-fill deposits cover most of the map area. Other deposits consist of colluvium, artificial fill, spring travertine, and volcanic bedrock. The geologic hazards maps show where hazards may exist. The maps should be used to inform citizens and developers of potential risks and for local government officials to make prudent land-use planning decisions. The maps are general, and site-specific studies are needed to demonstrate site suitability prior to development. Typical risk-reduction methods for these geologic hazards generally include avoidance or engineering design to reduce the risk to an acceptable level.

Guidelines for the Geologic Evaluation of Debris-flow Hazards on Alluvial Fans in Utah

Guidelines for the Geologic Evaluation of Debris-flow Hazards on Alluvial Fans in Utah
Author: Richard E. Giraud
Publisher: Utah Geological Survey
Total Pages: 21
Release: 2005-06
Genre: Science
ISBN: 1557917299

The Utah Geological Survey (UGS) developed these guidelines to help geologists evaluate debris-flow hazards on alluvial fans to ensure safe development. Debris-flow hazard evaluations are particularly important because alluvial fans are the primary sites of debris-flow deposition and are also favored sites for development. The purpose of a debris-flow-hazard evaluation is to characterize the hazard and provide design parameters for risk reduction. The UGS recommends critical facilities and structures for human occupancy not be placed in active debris flow travel and deposition areas unless the risk is reduced to an acceptable level. These guidelines use the characteristics of alluvial fan deposits as well as drainage-basin and feeder-channel sediment-supply conditions to evaluate debris-flow hazards. The hazard evaluation relies on the geomorphology, sedimentology, and stratigraphy of existing alluvial fan deposits. Analysis of alluvial-fan deposits provides the geologic basis for estimating frequency and potential volume of debris flows and describing debris-flow behavior. Drainage-basin and feeder-channel characteristics determine potential debris-flow susceptibility and the volume of stored channel sediment available for sediment bulking in future flows.

Homebuyers Guide to Earthquake Hazards in Utah

Homebuyers Guide to Earthquake Hazards in Utah
Author: Sandra N. Eldredge
Publisher: Utah Geological Survey
Total Pages: 32
Release: 1996-11
Genre: Technology & Engineering
ISBN: 1557913862

Large, damaging earthquakes can happen in many parts of Utah. Therefore, when choosing where to live in this state, we should be aware of the earthquake risk. It is important to know what potential earthquake hazards exist in an area, and what action we can take to reduce the earthquake risk to ourselves and our families. This brochure introduces homebuyers and others to earthquake hazards so that informed choices can be made when selecting homes, building sites, or hazard-reduction measures.