Here are several more articles about the UGS rockfall investigation, including our own news release with links to the published report.
Tag Archive for: Utah Geological Survey
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.
Hands down, Utah’s geologic beauties rock!
White Rim Trail, San Juan County, Utah
Photographer: Don DeBlieux; © 2012
Sandstone buttes and mesas along the White Rim Trail, San Juan County.
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.
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.
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.
This scenery is no April Fools’—have a great afternoon!
Canyonlands National Park, San Juan County, Utah
Photographer: Don DeBlieux; © 2012
Water from a recent storm fills shallow pools on the Permian-age White Rim Sandstone near the White Rim Trail. The trail traverses a broad bench formed by the resistant sandstone above the confluence of the Green and Colorado Rivers.
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.
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.
The Wedge overlook, Emery County, Utah
Photographer: Ken Krahulec; © 2012
Little Grand Canyon from The Wedge overlook, Emery County.
Factory Butte, Wayne County, Utah
Photographer: Stevie Emerson; © 2012
The Muley Canyon Sandstone Member of the Cretaceous-age Mancos Shale forms a protective cap at the top of Factory Butte, allowing it to tower 1,500 feet above badlands of the easily erodible Blue Gate Shale Member. These rocks record the existence of an inland sea covering much of Utah around 90 million years ago.
It’s Thursday, and that means “Spot the Rock”!
Can any of you geo-sleuths tell us where this is?
LEARN MORE ABOUT THE UTAH GEOLOGICAL SURVEY
The Utah Geological Survey (UGS) is a division of the Utah Department of Natural Resources. Several specialized programs comprise the UGS: Data Management, Energy & Minerals, Geologic Hazards, Geologic Information & Outreach, Geologic Mapping, Groundwater & Wetlands, and Paleontology.
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