Geology topics

Gerald F. Wieczoreck

Publications and source records attributed to Gerald F. Wieczoreck.

3 recordsLinked to original sources

USGS2003

Preliminary hydrodynamic analysis of landslide-generated waves in Tidal Inlet, Glacier Bay National Park, Alaska

A landslide block perched on the northern wall of Tidal Inlet, Glacier Bay National Park (Figure 1), has the potential to generate large waves in Tidal Inlet and the western arm of Glacier Bay if it were to fail catastrophically. Landslide-generated waves are a particular concern for cruise ships transiting through Glacier Bay on a daily basis during the summer months. The objective of this study is to estimate the range of wave amplitudes and periods in the western arm of Glacier Bay from a catastrophic landslide in Tidal Inlet. This study draws upon preliminary findings of a field survey by Wieczorek et al. (2003), and evaluates the effects of variations in landslide source parameters on the wave characteristics.

Alaska↗

USGS2002

Natural hazards on alluvial fans: The Venezuela debris flow and flash flood disaster

In December 1999, rainstorms induced thousands of landslides along the Cordillera de la Costa, Vargas, northern Venezuela. Rainfall on December 2-3 totaled 200 millimeters (8 inches) and was followed by a major storm (911 millimeters, or 36 inches) on December 14 through 16. Debris flows and flash floods on alluvial fans inundated coastal communities, caused severe property destruction, and resulted in a death toll estimated at 19,000 people. Because most of the coastal zone in Vargas consists of steep mountain fronts that rise abruptly from the Caribbean Sea, the alluvial fans are the only areas where slopes are not too steep to build. Rebuilding and reoccupation of these areas requires careful determination of potential hazard zones to avoid future loss of life and property.

Fact Sheet↗

USGS2002

Landslide triggers and types

The term “landslide trigger” refers to an external stimulus, such as intense rainfall, rapid snowmelt, seismic shaking, volcanic eruption, stream/coastal erosion, or natural dam failure, which causes an immediate or near-immediate response in the form of landslide activity. In this paper, we discuss the types of landslides caused by these triggering processes and present a limited number of worldwide examples of their occurrence.

Conference Paper↗