GEOLOGIC HAZARDS

HAZARD ASSISTANCE

The goal of the UGS Geologic Hazards Program is to help reduce risk to Utah’s life safety, property, and economy by directly assisting cities, towns, and counties; and providing unbiased scientific information to the public so informed decisions can be made regarding geologic hazards.

The UGS Geologic Hazards Program

The UGS responds to emergency calls if a home, property, neighborhood, or community is in life-threatening danger from a geologic hazard. In these situations, a city or county may ask the UGS to assess the hazard and advise on a course of action. To document and understand geologic hazards, the UGS encourages cities, counties, and the public to inform us of events when they occur so that we may investigate the hazard if warranted.

Dealing with Geologic Hazard Problems

Parkway Drive GPS monitoring.

For issues such as water uncontrollably seeping into a basement or sidewalks shifting or buckling, the first plan of action is to contact your city or county’s public works, engineering, planning, or development services departments. The problem may be one that these agencies can assist with. If the city or county cannot help you, a geotechnical consultant or consulting firm should be contacted. Many can be found through an online search for “Geologist” or “Geotechnical Engineer.” The home/property owner should contact several consultants to compare cost estimates and quality of services.

Geotechnical consulting firms have engineers and geologists who are trained to identify and mitigate geologic hazards (slope instability, shallow groundwater, and earthquake hazards to list a few). Professionals can recommend and design drainage systems for home foundations and slopes as well as suggest methods to stabilize slopes and reconstruct yards. Geotechnical consultants can also determine if a geologic hazard is localized to your property or part of a larger issue with the potential to affect several pieces of property or a neighborhood. You can verify that any geologists, engineers, and/or contractors you use are licensed in the state of Utah here.