Utah Geological Survey
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New Geologic Hazard Maps for Western Salt Lake Valley

kcsg.com

The Utah Geological Survey (UGS) has released a publication containing 10 geologic-hazard maps for an area of western Salt Lake Valley that includes portions of the rapidly developing cities of Herriman, West Jordan, and South Jordan. The maps address hazards associated with earthquakes, landslides, flooding, debris flows, indoor radon, shallow groundwater, rock fall, shallow bedrock, and problem soil and rock (collapsible and expansive soils). The maps present a comprehensive hazard assessment and were prepared by compiling scientific and field data.

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Utah Geological Survey
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Underneath Utah: The often forgotten spot in Zion National Park

Kolob Canyon may be off the beaten path, but remains a fan favorite when visiting Zion National Park. Did you know that it also displays some of the park’s oldest geology? Tyler Knudsen, one of our geologists here at the Utah Geological Survey, talks about the geology present in Kolob Canyon in this video. Check it out!

good4utah.com

Good 4 Utah is celebrating Utah’s diverse and unique geologic history this summer. Kylie Bearse and photographer Gus Seashore are traveling to Utah’s famous landmarks, and a few spots you may not have known about, to learn more about our state’s geology.

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Utah Geological Survey
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Utah a hotbed for nation's geothermal growth in 2013

deseretnews.com

Geothermal power that came online in Utah and two other Western states helped keep the industry on the map in 2013 in what would have otherwise been a flat year domestically for new geothermal power production.

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Utah Geological Survey
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Geologic investigation into fatal rock fall in Rockville risk remains high

sunews.net

Residents living within high rock-fall-hazard zones in Rockville, Utah, face the possible consequences of a large rock fall similar to the fatal event that occurred last December.

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Utah Geological Survey
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UGS Rockfall Investigation in the News

Here are several more articles about the UGS rockfall investigation, including our own news release with links to the published report.

UGS News Release
Deseret News article
ABC News article

Utah Geological Survey
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News on the Latest UGS Rockfall Investigation in the Zion Area

kcsg.com

Residents living within high rock-fall-hazard zones in Rockville, Utah, face the possible consequences of a large rock fall similar to the fatal event that occurred last December. That is the principle finding of a geologic investigation into the rock fall that killed two people on December 12, 2013. That afternoon, a huge, joint-controlled rock mass, with an estimated volume of almost 1,400 cubic yards and weighing about 2,700 tons, detached from the cliff face at the top of the Rockville Bench, near Zion National Park. The rock mass fell onto the steep slope below the cliff, and shattered into numerous fragments. The rock fall debris then moved rapidly downslope before striking and destroying a house, detached garage, and a car. The largest boulder to strike the house weighed an estimated 520 tons.

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Utah Geological Survey
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UGS presents new report to water district

ironcountytoday.com

Cracks in the earth and settling of the ground in areas of the Cedar Valley, both believed to be caused by over-pumping of the underground aquifer, were the focus of a special Central Iron County Water Conservancy District work meeting March 27.

To find the publication, visit the Utah Natural Resources Map & Bookstore, or find it online HERE.
Utah Geological Survey
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Report: Ground sinking around Cedar City (Interview)

Watch these interviews featuring one of our geologists, Tyler Knudsen, talk about the ground fissures and their causes.

fox13now.com

Giant cracks running through an Iron County subdivision are the result of drawing too much water from the ground, according to a new state report.

WATCH HERE

Report: Cedar Valley Ground Slowly Sinking

kutv.com

A new report from the Utah Geological Survey shows that the ground in Iron County’s Cedar Valley is slowly sinking due to groundwater pumping.

WATCH HERE

Utah Geological Survey
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Groundwater depletion sinks portions of Cedar Valley

deseretnews.com

Over-pumping of groundwater from a deep aquifer in Cedar Valley for the past three decades has caused the ground to sink and crack, inflicting damage on a would-be subdivision and putting future development at risk.

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Read further in this article from KCSG Television

Land Subsidence and Earth Fissures in Cedar Valley, Iron County, Utah

kcsg.com

A just-released report from the Utah Geological Survey (UGS) shows the ground has been sinking in some areas around Cedar City for decades. The comprehensive 116-page report presents the results of an investigation of land subsidence and earth fissures in Cedar Valley, Iron County, Utah, primarily due to groundwater pumping. “The sediments in the Cedar Valley that form the groundwater aquifer contain a significant amount of fine-grained silt and clay sediments. Those sediments become compacted when water is removed and the ground begins to sink,” said Tyler Knudsen, UGS project geologist.

Utah Geological Survey
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Washington Tragedy Heightens Mudslide Concerns Across Country

One of our geologists, Rich Giraud, talks about the landslide dangers in Utah in this brief article. Check it out!

kutv.com

In Utah talk of mudslides dredges up memories of the thistle slide that wiped out the small Utah town in 1983.The historic Utah slide unlike the one in Washington did not see a loss of life, no one was even hurt.

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