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Publications

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Objective delineation of lahar-inundation hazard zones

A new method of delineating lahar hazard zones in valleys that head on volcano flanks provides a rapid, objective, reproducible alternative to traditional methods. The rationale for the method derives from scaling analyses of generic lahar paths and statistical analyses of 27 lahar paths documented at nine volcanoes. Together these analyses yield semiempirical equations that predict inundated vall
Authors
Richard M. Iverson, Steven P. Schilling

An empirical method for estimating travel times for wet volcanic mass flows

Travel times for wet volcanic mass flows (debris avalanches and lahars) can be forecast as a function of distance from source when the approximate flow rate (peak discharge near the source) can be estimated beforehand. The near-source flow rate is primarily a function of initial flow volume, which should be possible to estimate to an order of magnitude on the basis of geologic, geomorphic, and hyd
Authors
Thomas C. Pierson

Sediment transport at gaging stations near Mount St. Helens, Washington, 1980-90. Data collection and analysis

River sedimentation caused by the May 18, 1980, eruption of Mount St. Helens, Washington, has been monitored in a continuing program by the U.S. Geological Survey. In this report, sediment discharge and changes in sediment transport are summarized from data collected at stream-gaging stations near Mount St. Helens during the years 1980 through 1990. The objectives of the monitoring program include
Authors
Randal L. Dinehart

Detecting debris flows using ground vibrations

Debris flows are rapidly flowing mixtures of rock debris, mud, and water that originate on steep slopes. During and following volcanic eruptions, debris flows are among the most destructive and persistent hazards. Debris flows threaten lives and property not only on volcanoes but far downstream in valleys that drain volcanoes where they arrive suddenly and inundate entire valley bottoms. Debris fl
Authors
Richard G. LaHusen

Geology of Akutan Island, Alaska

No abstract available.
Authors
Donald H. Richter, Christopher F. Waythomas, Robert G. McGimsey, Peter L. Stelling

Mount Rainier: Living with perilous beauty

Mount Rainier is an active volcano reaching more than 2.7 miles (14,410 feet) above sea level. Its majestic edifice looms over expanding suburbs in the valleys that lead to nearby Puget Sound. USGS research over the last several decades indicates that Mount Rainier has been the source of many volcanic mudflows (lahars) that buried areas now densely populated. Now the USGS is working cooperatively
Authors
Kevin M. Scott, Edward W. Wolfe, Carolyn L. Driedger

Sulfur dioxide emission rates of Kilauea Volcano, Hawaii, 1979-1997

Sulfur dioxide (SO2) emission rates from Kilauea Volcano were first measured by Stoiber and Malone (1975) and have been measured on a regular basis since 1979 (Casadevall and others, 1987; Greenland and others, 1985; Elias and others, 1993; Elias and Sutton, 1996). The purpose of this report is to present a compilation of Kilauea SO2 emission rate data from 1979 through 1997 with ancillary meteoro
Authors
Tamar Elias, A. J. Sutton, J. B. Stokes, T. J. Casadevall

Pebble orientation on large, experimental debris-flow deposits

Replicable, pronounced orientation of discoid pebbles (≥8 mm) embedded on surfaces of large (∼10 m3) experimental debris-flow deposits reveals that strongly aligned, imbricate fabric can develop rapidly over short distances in mass flows. Pebble long axes aligned subparallel to deposit margins as well as subparallel to margins of surge waves arrested within the deposits. Pebble alignment exhibited
Authors
J. J. Major

Response of flexible wire rope barriers to debris-flow loading

No abstract available.
Authors
Jay S. DeNatale, Gregg L. Fiegel, Richard M. Iverson, Jon J. Major, Richard G. Lahusen, John D. Duffy, Gregory D. Fisher

The Loma Prieta, California, earthquake of October 17, 1989: Aftershocks and postseismic effects

While the damaging effects of the earthquake represent a significant social setback and economic loss, the geophysical effects have produced a wealth of data that have provided important insights into the structure and mechanics of the San Andreas Fault system. Generally, the period after a large earthquake is vitally important to monitor. During this part of the seismic cycle, the primary fault a
Authors
Paul A. Reasenberg, Lynn D. Dietz, William L. Ellsworth, Robert W. Simpson, John W. Gephart, Susan Y. Schwartz, Glenn D. Nelson, H. Guo, A. Lerner-Lam, William Menke, Susan E. Hough, Leif Wennerberg, K.S. Breckenridge, Jeff Behr, Roger G. Bilham, Paul Bodin, Arthur G. Sylvester, Jon S. Galehouse, R. Burgmann, Paul Segall, Michael Lisowski, Jerry L. Svarc, John Langbein, M.F. Linker, J.R. Rice, M. T. Gladwin, R. L. Gwyther, R.H.G. Hart, Randall Mackie, Theodore R. Madden, Edward A. Nichols

Discussion and closure: Slope instability from ground-water seepage

No abstract available.
Authors
Richard M. Iverson, Muniram Budhu, Roger Gobin