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UTAH GEOLOGICAL SURVEY a Division of UTAH DEPARTMENT of NATURAL RESOURCES 2020

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UTAH GEOLOGICAL SURVEY a Division of UTAH DEPARTMENT of NATURAL RESOURCES 2020 GUIDELINES FOR INVESTIGATING GEOLOGIC HAZARDS AND PREPARING ENGINEERING-GEOLOGY REPORTS, WITH A SUGGESTED APPROACH TO GEOLOGIC-HAZARD ORDINANCES IN UTAH SECOND EDITION Steve D. Bowman and William R. Lund, editors CIRCULAR 128 UTAH GEOLOGICAL SURVEY a division of UTAH DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES 2020 GUIDELINES FOR INVESTIGATING GEOLOGIC HAZARDS AND PREPARING ENGINEERING-GEOLOGY REPORTS, WITH A SUGGESTED APPROACH TO GEOLOGIC-HAZARD ORDINANCES IN UTAH SECOND EDITION Steve D. Bowman and William R. Lund, editors Cover photo: August 2014 Parkway Drive landslide, North Salt Lake. The landslide damaged the Eagle Ridge Tennis and Swim Club (white tent structure), severely damaged a house (directly above the tent structure), and removed part of the backyard of a second home. This landslide illustrates the significant impact geologic hazards can have on individuals, property owners, local governments, and the community. Photo credit: Gregg Beukelman, August 14, 2014. Suggested citation: Bowman, S.D., and Lund, W.R., editors, 2020, Guidelines for investigating geologic hazards and preparing engineering-geology reports, with a suggested approach to geologic-hazard ordinances in Utah, second edition: Utah Geological Survey Circular 128, 170 p., 5 appendices, https://doi.org/10.34191/C-128. CIRCULAR 128 UTAH GEOLOGICAL SURVEY a division of UTAH DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES 2020 STATE OF UTAH Gary R. Herbert, Governor DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES Brian Steed, Executive Director UTAH GEOLOGICAL SURVEY R. William Keach II, Director PUBLICATIONS contact Natural Resources Map & Bookstore 1594 W. North Temple Salt Lake City, UT 84116 telephone: 801-537-3320 toll-free: 1-888-UTAH MAP website: utahmapstore.com email: [email protected] UTAH GEOLOGICAL SURVEY contact 1594 W. North Temple, Suite 3110 Salt Lake City, UT 84116 telephone: 801-537-3300 website: geology.utah.gov Although this product represents the work of professional scientists, the Utah Department of Natural Resources, Utah Geological Survey, makes no warranty, expressed or implied, regarding its suitability for a particular use. The Utah Department of Natural Resources, Utah Geological Survey, shall not be liable under any circumstances for any direct, indirect, special, incidental, or consequential damages with respect to claims by users of this product. The Utah Geological Survey does not endorse any products or manufacturers. Reference to any specific commercial product, process, service, or company by trade name, trademark, or otherwise, does not constitute endorsement or recommendation by the Utah Geological Survey. CONTENTS PREFACE ................................................................................................................................................................................. xii CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION ..............................................................................................................................................1 OVERVIEW ............................................................................................................................................................................ 3 COSTS OF GEOLOGIC HAZARDS ..................................................................................................................................... 4 Landslide Hazards ............................................................................................................................................................... 4 Landslides ......................................................................................................................................................................... 4 Rockfall ............................................................................................................................................................................ 4 Debris Flows .................................................................................................................................................................... 5 Snow Avalanches .............................................................................................................................................................. 6 Earthquake Hazards ............................................................................................................................................................. 6 Flooding Hazards ................................................................................................................................................................ 6 Floods and Flash Floods ................................................................................................................................................... 7 Debris Flows .................................................................................................................................................................... 7 Dam and Water Conveyance Structure Failure ................................................................................................................ 7 Problem Soil and Rock Hazards ........................................................................................................................................ 10 Land Subsidence and Earth Fissures .............................................................................................................................. 10 Radon Gas ...................................................................................................................................................................... 13 UGS GEOLOGIC-HAZARD GUIDELINES BACKGROUND ......................................................................................... 13 CURRENT UGS GEOLOGIC-HAZARD GUIDELINES ................................................................................................... 13 ACKNOWLEDGMENTS .................................................................................................................................................... 14 CHAPTER 2: GUIDELINES FOR CONDUCTING ENGINEERING-GEOLOGY INVESTIGATIONS AND PREPARING ENGINEERING-GEOLOGY REPORTS IN UTAH .............................................................................. 15 INTRODUCTION ................................................................................................................................................................ 17 ENGINEERING-GEOLOGY INVESTIGATIONS ............................................................................................................ 17 When Geologic-Hazard Special Study Maps Are Not Available ...................................................................................... 18 International Building/Residential Code and Local Requirements ................................................................................... 18 Investigator Qualifications ................................................................................................................................................ 19 Literature Searches and Information Resources ................................................................................................................ 19 Available UGS Information ............................................................................................................................................ 19 Aerial Photography......................................................................................................................................................... 20 Lidar Elevation Data ...................................................................................................................................................... 21 Excavation Safety .............................................................................................................................................................. 21 Site Characterization ......................................................................................................................................................... 21 Geologic Mapping ............................................................................................................................................................. 23 Laboratory Testing............................................................................................................................................................. 24 Geochronology .................................................................................................................................................................. 24 ENGINEERING-GEOLOGY REPORTS ............................................................................................................................. 26 General Information .......................................................................................................................................................... 27 Descriptions of Geologic Materials, Features, and Conditions ......................................................................................... 27 Assessment of Geologic Hazards and Project Suitability ................................................................................................. 28 Identification and Extent of Geologic Hazards .............................................................................................................. 28 Suitability of Proposed Development in Relation to Geologic Conditions and Hazards ............................................... 28 Report Structure
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