Geologic hazard analysis of suburban development on alluvial deposits in the Basin and Range province

Abstract

Throughout the basin and range province many areas have been or are being developed for residential dwellings and public buildings. These areas of concern are the alluvial deposition on or adjacent to the major basin and range faults which border nearly every mountain range from the Sierra Nevada to the Wasatch Range. These areas represent zones of multiple geologic hazard risk including earthquake, subsidence, liquefaction, flashflood, landslide and rockfall. In western Nevada the Galena Terrace Estates subdivision is examined in detail. An apparent lack of understanding and concern exists in the realm of the developer, the builder and the land owner/resident. Additionally, the sate laws, such as those enacted in the neighboring state of California for public protection, are lacking in Nevada. The study undertakes to identify, illustrate, and to analize the hazards present and to expose the need for laws which would govern development of residential and public structures in such hazard areas solely for the purpose of the mitigation of the consequences of a potential disaster and public protection.