Resources for Consultants and Design Professionals
These resources are non-comprehensive and available to assist those involved with geotechnical, geologic-hazards, and other land-use investigations in Utah.
Recommended Geologic Hazard Report Guidelines
Current Guidelines
- Guidelines for investigating geologic hazards and preparing engineering-geology reports with a suggested approach to geologic-hazard ordinances in Utah, Second Edition, edited by Steve D. Bowman and William R. Lund, 170 p. + appendices, Circular 128, 2020
Superseded Guidelines
Although these guidelines have been replaced with those in Circular 128, some ordinances still reflect these older guidelines.
- Guidelines for investigating geologic hazards and preparing engineering-geology reports with a suggested approach to geologic-hazard ordinances in Utah, edited by Steve D. Bowman and William R. Lund, 156 p. + appendices, Circular 122, 2016
Engineering Geology Reports
- Association of Engineering Geologists (Utah Section), 1986, Guidelines for preparing engineering geologic reports in Utah: Utah Geological and Mineral Survey Miscellaneous Publication M, 2 p.
Hazards Ordinances
- Christenson, G.E., 1987, Suggested approach to geologic hazards ordinances in Utah: Utah Geological and Mineral Survey Circular 79, 16 p.
Surface Fault Rupture
- Christenson, G.E., Batatian, L.D., and Nelson, C.V., 2003, Guidelines for evaluating surface-fault-rupture hazards in Utah: Utah Geological Survey Miscellaneous Publication 03-6, 14 p.
Landslides
- Hylland, M.D., 1996, Guidelines for evaluating landslide hazards in Utah: Utah Geological Survey Circular 92, 16 p.
Debris Flows
- Giraud, R.E., 2005, Guidelines for the geologic evaluation of debris-flow hazards on alluvial fans in Utah: Utah Geological Survey Miscellaneous Publication 05-6, 16 p.
School Sites
External Hazards and Geotechnical Publications
A brief list of non-Utah Geological Survey publications that contain background information and investigation techniques about geologic hazards and geotechnical engineering for professionals practicing in Utah. Links to digital copies in the public domain are provided where available.
Field Methods
- U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, 2001, Engineering and design – geotechnical investigation: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, variously paginated.
- U.S. Bureau of Reclamation, 1998, Earth manual – Part 1, Third edition: U.S. Bureau of Reclamation, Earth Sciences and Research Laboratory, 311 p.
- U.S. Bureau of Reclamation, 2001, Engineering geology field manual, second edition: U.S. Bureau of Reclamation, 488 p.
General Geologic Hazards
- Tyler, M.B., 1995, Look before you build, geologic studies for safer land development in the San Francisco Bay area: U.S. Geological Survey Circular 1130, 54 p.
- Utah Division of Homeland Security, 2008, Utah natural hazards handbook: Utah Division of Homeland Security, 128 p.
Earthquakes and Surface Fault Rupture
- California Geological Survey, 2008, Guidelines for evaluating and mitigating seismic hazards in California: California Geological Survey Special Publication 117A, 98 p.
Geotechnical Engineering
- Unified Facilities Criteria, 2004, Soils and geology procedures for foundation design of building and other structures (except hydraulic structures): Department of Defense, Whole Building Design Guide, variously paginated.
- Unified Facilities Criteria, 2005, Geotechnical engineering procedures for foundation design of buildings and structures: Department of Defense, Whole Building Design Guide, variously paginated. [Supercedes NAVFAC DM-7.01 and DM-7.02 publications.]
- U.S. Bureau of Reclamation, 1998, Earth manual – Part 1, Third edition: U.S. Bureau of Reclamation, Earth Sciences and Research Laboratory, 311 p.
Liquefaction
- Seed, R.B., Cetin, K.O., Moss, R.E.S., Kammerer, A.M., Wu, J.P., Pestana, J.M., Riemer, M.F., Sancio, R.B., Bray, J.D., Kayen, R.E., and Faris, A., 2003,Recent advances in soil liquefaction engineering – a unified and consistent framework: Berkeley, University of California, Earthquake Engineering Research Center Report, 2003-06, 71 p.
Radon
- Environmental Protection Agency, 1994a, Model standards and techniques for control of radon in new residential buildings: Environmental Protection Agency Publication 402-R-94-009, 17 p.
- Environmental Protection Agency, 1994b, Radon prevention in the design and construction of schools and other large buildings: Environmental Protection Agency Publication 625-R-92-016, 50 p.
- Environmental Protection Agency, 2001, Building radon out: A step-by-step guide on how to build radon-resistant homes: Environmental Protection Agency Publication 402-K-01-002, 84 p.
Slope Stability/Rock Mechanics
- Hoek, E., 2006, Practical rock engineering: North Vancouver, British Columbia, Evert Hoek Consulting Engineer, Inc., variously paginated.
Soil Mechanics
- Naval Facilities Engineering Command, 1986, Soil Mechanics, Design Manual 7.01: Naval Facilities Engineering Command, variously paginated.
Wasatch Fault Geologic Maps and Publications
- Machette, M.N., 1992, Surficial geologic map of the Wasatch fault zone, eastern part of Utah Valley, Utah County and parts of Salt Lake and Juab Counties, Utah: U.S. Geological Survey Miscellaneous Investigations Series Map I-2095, scale 1:50,000, 30 p. pamphlet.
- Machette, M.N., Personius, S.F., and Nelson, A.R., 1992, Paleoseismology of the Wasatch fault zone – a summary of recent investigations, interpretations, and conclusions, in Gori, P.L., and Hays, W.W., editors, Assessment of regional earthquake hazards and risk along the Wasatch Front, Utah: U.S. Geological Survey Professional Paper 1500-A, p. A1-A71.
- Nelson, A.R., and Personius, S.F., 1993, Surficial geologic map of the Weber segment, Wasatch fault zone, Weber and Davis Counties, Utah: U.S. Geological Survey Miscellaneous Investigations Series Map I-2199, 22 p. pamphlet, scale 1:50,000.
- Personius, S.F., 1990, Surficial geologic map of the Brigham City segment and adjacent parts of the Weber and Collinston segments, Wasatch Fault Zone, Box Elder and Weber counties, Utah: U.S. Geological Survey Miscellaneous Investigations I-1979, 1 plate, scale 1:50,000.
- Personius, S.F., and Scott, W.E., 1992, Surficial geologic map of the Salt Lake City segment and parts of adjacent segments of the Wasatch fault zone, Davis, Salt Lake, and Utah counties, Utah: U.S. Geological Survey Miscellaneous Investigations I-2106, 1 plate, scale 1:50,000.
New Release Available:
Personius, S.F., and Scott, W.E., 2009 (digital release), Surficial geologic map of the Salt Lake City segment and parts of adjacent segments of the Wasatch fault zone, Davis, Salt Lake, and Utah Counties, Utah (digitized from U.S. Geological Survey Miscellaneous Investigations Series Map I-2106 [1992]): Utah Geological Survey Map 243DM, GIS data, scale 1:50,000.
GIS data (zip file -200MB) - Utah Seismic Safety Commission, 2008, Putting down roots in earthquake country – your handbook for earthquakes in Utah: Utah Seismic Safety Commission, Salt Lake City, Utah, 33 p.
Additional Resources
Useful Geologic Hazard and Geotechnical Websites
Outside sources of information related to geologic hazards in Utah. This list is not exhaustive and does not constitute an endorsement by the UGS.
Aerial Photography
Building Codes
- International Code Council (ICC)
Engineering Geology
Geologic and Soil Mapping
Geotechnical Engineering
- American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE)
- Geo-Institute (G-I)
- Federal Highway Administration (FHWA)
- U.S. Army Corp of Engineers (USACE)
- Utah Department of Transportation (UDOT)
GIS Data
Hazards Planning
Professional Licensure
Seismic Information
Standards and Test Methods