Tag Archive for: Washington County

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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Washington County faces tough balance of growth, geologic hazards

sltrib.com

With geologic hazards along State Road 9 clearly mapped in a new report and a population expanding sixfold in the corridor by 2035, community leaders face tough decisions about development in their scenic, but often dangerous, landscape.

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Utah Geological Survey

POTD March 24, 2014: Warner Valley, Washington County, Utah

We can’t say “no” to Monday mornings when they feature both Utah’s red-rock and grand mountains!

Warner Valley, Washington County, Utah
Photographer: Tyler Knudsen; © 2012

Red hues of rippled sands and nearby Sand Mountain (Navajo Sandstone-capped cliff in middle ground) intensify in the lateafternoon sun. The snow-capped Pine Valley Mountains, the eroded remains of a massive Miocene-age igneous intrusion, rise high above the surrounding red-rock desert.

Utah Geological Survey
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New maps point out geological hazards near Zion National Park

Tyler Knudsen, one of our geologists here at Utah Geological Survey, talks about our new publication discussing the geologic hazards of the State Route 9 Corridor.

ksl.com

The state has released a new set of maps designed to tip off developers and homeowners to potential geological hazards in communities near Zion National Park.

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LISTEN TO INTERVIEW with Tyler Knudsen

Utah Geological Survey
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"Significant Geologic Hazards" In Washington County

Some of our geologists are studying the hazards in this area. Take a look at this article at what they have to say about the rock-fall hazards and other geologic hazards present in Washington County.

kutv.com

Communities from La Verkin to Springdale have “significant geologic hazards” along State Route 9, according to a report released on Thursday by the Utah Geological Survey (UGS).

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Utah Geological Survey
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New report: geologic hazards in Zion National Park area

sltrib.com

If the thought of a 2,700-ton boulder rolling through your house concerns you, the Utah Geological Survey has a new report you might want to read, particularly if you are considering moving to a community along State Road 9 in Washington County.

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Significant Hazards on State Route 9 Near Zion National Park
kcsg.com

There are significant geologic hazards present along State Route 9, between La Verkin and Springdale in Washington County, according to the Utah Geological Survey (UGS). Geologists recently released a comprehensive report addressing the numerous geologic hazards that threaten the growing communities of La Verkin, Virgin, Rockville, and Springdale. All of the communities are on State Route 9 which is the main transportation corridor for more than 2.5 million annual visitors to Zion National Park. “Recent damaging and fatal rock falls in Rockville, landslides in Springdale, and floods along the Virgin River demonstrate that many of the geologic processes that have shaped this area’s outstanding scenery also make this area prone to geologic hazards,’ says Tyler Knudsen, UGS geologist.
Utah Geological Survey

Learn about geology of old mining area

thespectrum.com

SILVER REEF — The Museum at Silver Reef is sponsoring a “Geology Walk and Talk” Feb. 22 led by geologist Marc Deshowitz. The presentation is free to the public and will begin at 10 a.m. at the Cosmopolitan restaurant next to the museum, 1903 Wells Fargo Road in Silver Reef. The walk will lead to a view of the White Reef, about a half-mile, gently uphill).

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Utah Geological Survey
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Mag. 4.1 quake leads off two dozen earthquakes 37 miles from St. George

stgeorgeutah.com

A swarm, or cluster, of 24 earthquakes have been recorded Tuesday, the first about 37 miles west-northwest of St. George in Nevada, and the others within about a 10-mile radius of the first, see map inset. The earthquakes have ranged from local magnitude 4.1 at both 8:20 a.m. PST and 6:30 p.m. PST, and various lesser amounts throughout the day with the most recent registering local magnitude 3.2 at 6:38 p.m. PST.

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And another great article on Utah quakes and other worldly shakes—
decodedscience.com
Nevada and Utah Earthquakes; Greece, Mid-Atlantic Tremors: January 2014

The world seemed to wake up this week, seismically speaking.

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Utah Geological Survey

Geologic Hazards of the State Route 9 Corridor, La Verkin City to Town of Springdale, Washington County, Utah

By: Tyler R. Knudsen and William R. Lund

Historically, the communities of La Verkin, Virgin, Rockville, and Springdale have been affected by a variety of geologic hazards. Recent damaging rock falls, riverine floods, recurrent flash floods and landslides, and problems associated with collapsible soil and expansive soil and rock demonstrate that the communities are vulnerable to geologic hazards, and that public officials require reliable hazard information as they plan for future growth. The Utah Geological Survey has prepared GIS-based information on the kinds and locations of geologic hazards that may affect existing and future development in the State Route 9 Corridor Geologic-Hazard Study Area (SR-9 study area). The SR-9 study area encompasses 97 square miles, and consists of a 2- to 8-mile-wide corridor centered on SR-9, that extends from the eastern part of La Verkin City to the Town of Springdale’s eastern boundary with Zion National Park.

This 13-page report includes nine 1:24,000-scale geologic-hazard maps that cover flooding and debris flows, rock fall, landslides, surface faulting, liquefaction, collapsible soil, expansive soil and rock, gypsiferous soil and rock, soil piping, erosion, and wind-blown sand. Each geologic-hazard map provides information on the data sources and techniques used to create the map, the nature and distribution of the hazard, and possible hazard-reduction measures.

GET IT HERE

Utah Geological Survey

POTD December 26, 2013: The Narrows, Zion National Park, Washington County, Utah

The Narrows, Zion National Park, Washington County, Utah
Photographer: Tyler Knudsen

Small waterfall framed by the constricting walls of Navajo Sandstone in The Narrows, Zion National Park, Washington County.