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Landslides in Washington State“Landslides in Washington State” presented by Carla Whittington (Geology)

Life in the Puget Sound can be interesting. Geologic hazards are always knocking at our doors. Did you know that the Puget Sound has a landslide season? During the 2012-3 season, passenger train traffic between here and Everett has been shut down 95% of the time. There have been over 75 landslides down onto the tracks during that period! More recently, the Oso slide had its tragic one year anniversary.  Even more recent than that, a few houses on the bluff in Des Moines were damaged in a slide.

Why are this region’s hills so prone to sliding? Is it just the rain or something more? This talk will cover why landslides occur in this area; what combination of conditions have to happen to get the hills moving; where the trouble spots are; and how, if possible, this hazard can be mitigated.

Location: Building 3, room 102

Students wishing to register for Science Seminar may take it for credit as Ge Sc 190/1 (items 6094 and 6096 respectively).
