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Geologic Hazards in New Mexico--Part 2

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Geologic Hazards in New Mexico--Part 2 Geologichazards in NewMexico -part 2 byWilliam C. Haneberg, New Mexico Bureau of Minesand Mineral Resources, Socono, NM 87801 Abstract We at NMBMMR often receivetelephone callsand letters asking if a specific geologic hazard occurs in a certain area and whethei we have maps available showing the locations of earthquake faults, sinkholes, and so forth. Although at first the notion seemsto be an attractive one, this paper does not include small-scalemaps showing the distribution of geologic hazards in New Mexicb. Introduction Economics Although there is no detailed estimate of the total costs asso- ciated with geologic hazards in New Mexico, collateral evidence suggests that they are significant. Brabb (1989) estimated that slope stability problems causedat least $4 million damageto state roads and private property in New Mexico between-1973 and dedared disasterareas in December1984 when a number of homes 1983. The National ResearchCouncil (1991)estimated losses of gp to-$1 million per year from mining-induced subsidence,up to 91 million per year from sinkholes, and between gl million ind $10 million per year from hydrocompactive soils in New Mexico. Robinson and Spieker (1978)estimated lossesfrom floods, earth- quakes, landslides, coastal erosion, expansive soils, and other geologic hazards to be about 94.9 billion per year in the United States. Assuming a s%oavenge rate of inflation, their estimate proj-e,cts$f.3 blllion per year, or about 937 per person per year, in 1991.If flood damage is excluded, the last two figures drop to $6.0 billion per year ind $24 per person p"r yuu.IBured ufon these national figures, annual damage costs in New Mexico-are Purpose estimated to be on the order of tens of millions of dollars. 13 Alsoin thisissue NMGS1992 Field Conference p. 52 Newfusulinid data and multiple episodes of ancestralRocky Mountain deformation in the JoyitaHills p. 53 Upcomingmeetings p. 59 NMGS1993 Field Conference p. 59 Hikingto the top of NewMexiceWheeler Peak p. 60 NMGS1992 spring meeting abstracts p.62 Service/News p. 67 Staff Notes p. 68 Experience in other states suggestsgeologic hazards in New to compile maps for a county atlas series, which will consist of Mexico can be avoided or alleviated through careful land-use 1:500,000thematic maps of interest to county Planners, elected planning and engineering design. In a study of geologic hazards officials, and residents. Map themes will include generalized ge- in California, Alfors et al. (1973) concluded that up to 90Voof ology, mineral resources,geologically young faults and volcanic Iandslide damage costs could be eliminated by a combination of deposits, 100-yearfloodplains, depth to water, water chemistry, geologic investigation, engineering design, and enforcement of ground-water pollution potential, slope instability potential, col- zoning laws. Subsequentresearch has shown that this three-tiered Iapsible and./orexpansive soil potential, and other topics. strategy has reduced the costs of landslide damage associated with new construction in California by 927" to 97Vo(National Geologic hazards and geologic events ResearchCouncil, 1985).Bemknopf et al. (1988)conducted a study The distinction between a geologic hazard and a geologicevent to assessthe potential effectivenessof different planning strate- (e.g., Rahn, 1986)is an important one. A geologicevent is the Bies on landslide damage in the Cincinnati, Ohio area. They con- occurrence of any geologic process, perhaps a landslide or an cluded that if grading provisions specifiedin Chapter 70 of the earthquake. A geologic hazard, on the other hand, is a geologic Uniform Building Code were enforced without regard to site- event which has a significant impact upon humans or their works. specificdetails, the benefit:costratio would be 0.98:1.However, In many respects this distinction is analogous to the adage of a if Chapter 70 provisions were enforcedonly in areaswith steep tree falling in a forest with no one to hear the sound. Thus, a slopes,the benefit:costratio would increaseto 1..82:1.Finally, if large landslide in a remote area would be classified as an event, both slope and bedrock type were taken into account, the bene- whereas the same landslide in a heavily developed mountain fit:cost ratio would rise even further, to 2.27:'1..Simply put, en- resort would be classified as a hazard. It is also useful to define forcement of only the most basic grading requirements would potential hazards and potential events as those which geologic save more than twice as much money as it would cost. evidence suggestsmay have occurred in the past, and which may occur in the future, but for which there is little or no evidence of Sourcesof information recent activity. Examplesof potential hazards or potential events The primary sourceof geologic information about New Mexico might include dormant volcanoes or landslide comPlexes.This is NMBMMR, which is also the Office of State Geologist and the distinction has practical significancefor statessuch as New Mex- state agency responsible by law for original investigations of ge- ico, in which limited resourcesmust be used largely to address ology and mineral resourcesin New Mexico. NMBMMR main- specific problems rather than to compile state-wide inventories tains a small environmental and engineering geology staff, which covering vast, sparselypopulated areas. is responsiblefor 1) determining potential environmental impacts caused by intensive development of mineral, water, and land resources;2) evaluatingthe hazard potential of natural geologic processessuch as landslides, debris flows, earthquakes,and ground subsidence;3) siting waste managementfacilities; and 4) devel- oping a comprehensivedatabase, including reports and maps, on these subjects.Lists of publicationsand open-filereports, as New AAexfic@ well as the quarterly New Mexico Geology,are available from the NMBMMR publications office. GEOLOGY Other sourcesof engineeringgeologic and geotechnicalengi- neering information include the New Mexico State Highway De- o Scienceand Service partment GeotechnicalSection, the New Mexico Water Resources rssN 0196-944X ResearchInstitute, the U.S. GeologicalSurvey, the U.S. Soil Con- Volume 14, No. 3, August 1992 servation Service, the State Engineer Office, and geology de- partments and geologicalengineering programs as the University Editor: Carol A. Hiellming of New Mexico, New Mexico StateUniversitv and the New Mex- Publishedquarterly by ico Institute of Mining and Technology (Neiv Mexico Tech). Ad- New Mexico Bureau of Mines and Mineral Rewurces ditional sourcesare included in fohnpeer (1986).The Geology a division of New Mexico lnstitute of Section of the New Mexico State Highway Department has pro- Minint & Technology duced a seriesof geologicand aggregatesource atlases of con- BOARD OF REGENTS siderableinterest to those involved in construction.Guidebooks Ex-Officio Bruce King, Gwernor of Nru Merico compiled for the annual fall field conferencesand other special Alan Morgan, Superintendent ol Public lnstruction publications of the New Mexico Geological Society consti[ute a Appointed valuable source of Lt. Gen. Leo Marquez, Pres.,1989 795, Albu4uerque basic geologic information, as well. Sources Charles Zimmerly, Src.lTreas., 7991 1997, Socorro formaps, aerial photographs, satellite imagery, thermal imagery, Diane D. Denish, 1992-1997, Albuquerque and radar imagery covering the stateare listed in Rex (1991). J. Michael Kelly, 1992-197, Roswll Steve Tones, 1991 1997, Albu4uerque Generalissues related to geologichazards and land use plan- New Mexico lnstitute of Minin8 & Technology ning are discussedat an introductory level by Robinsonand Spieker President. Laurence H. Lattman New Mexico Bureau of Mines & Mineral Resources (1978)and Hays (1981),and at a more advancedlevel by eooke Director ifld State Ceologist .. Charles E. Chapin and Doornkamp (1990).Hawley and Love (1981)presented a gen- Subriptions: l$ued quarterl, February Mat Au8ust, eralized summary of geologyas related to environmental concerns November; subscription price $6.00/calendar year. in New Mexico, and Hawley and Longmire (7997)discussed ge- Editorial Mttq: Articles submitted for publication should be in the editor's hands a minimum of five ologic considerationsbearing on hazardous-wastesite selectiron (5) months before date of publication (February and characterizationin New Mexico. The engineering and en- May, August, or November) and should be no longa than 20 typewritten, double-spaced pages. All vironmental geologyof the Albuquerqueareals summlarizedby scientific papers will be reviewed by at least two Lambert et al. (1982),Clary et aI. (l9M), and Hawley and Love people in the appropriate fietd of study. Address (1991,p.734-744). (1983) inquiri6 to Carol A. Hielming, Editor of Nru Metico Johnpeerand Hamil provided a similar Geology, New Mexico Bureau of Mines & Mineral synopsis of the Socorroarea. Johnpeeret al. (1987)and Barrie Resources, Scoro, NM 87801-4796. (1987)summarized the engineeringgeology of the northern Es- Published as public domin, therefore reproducible without tanciabasin with regard to siting of a proposedsuperconducting wrmission. Source credit reouested. 1,6N supercollider. The book New Mexicoin Maps (Williains, 1986)con- Circulation: P/irtel; University of New Mexico Printing Seilices tains a collection of thematic maps covering both the geography and geology of New Metco. NMBMMR is currentlybeglnning August 1992 Nao MexicoGeology [Sections on earthquakes and land subsidenceappeared
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