Imbalances

1. What kinds of imbalances might affect your region

* Landslides are a common hazard in California. Landslides constitute a major geologic hazard because they are widespread in all 50 states and U.S. territories, and cause $1-2 billion in damages and more than 25 fatalities on average each year. (Government Survey, 2011) Landslides commonly occur in connection with other major natural disasters such as earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, wildfires, and floods. It can also be caused by normal, seasonal rainfall or erosion. Expansion of residential and recreational developments into hillside areas leads to more people that are threatened by landslides each year. (“Landslides,” 2010)

2. What people in your area can do to prepare for them or prevent them?

* Follow proper land-use procedures.

* Avoid building near steep slopes or along natural erosion valleys.

* Land-use zoning, professional inspections and proper design can minimize many landslides, mudflow and debris flow problems. (“Earthquakes and landslides,” 2012)

3. Give some specific examples of weather incidents that occurred in your area in the past and discuss how those were handled.

* March 2005 – Agua Dulce Court landslide in Carlsbad, located just east of the major Rancho Santa Fe Road commuter route. The landslide threatened 2 homes when it was discovered in March 2005. When crews dug a mud wall away from the homes, the upper edge of the slide started to rapidly collapse, threatening Rancho Santa Fe Road. The contractors tried several times to install a wall to hold the soil, but the moving mud twisted the metal rods that supposed to support the wall. City of Carlsbad drilled into the rocky hillside above and pumped water out for weeks to reduce the water in the soggy hillside. (Staff and Wire Reports, 2007)

4. What major natural disasters of the past are most similar to one that might affect your area? Explain.

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