Abstract

Many areas within the Wasatch Front region are subject to landslide hazards, mainly on moderate to steep slopes underlain by slide-prone geologic units. Common landslide types are debris flows/slides, earth flows/slides, and rock falls. The Manning Canyon Shale, Ankareh Formation, North Horn Formation, Indianola Group, and Farmington Canyon Complex are a few of the geologic formations in this region subject to landsliding. Also prone to landsliding are Lake Bonneville-aged deltaic sediments and other Quaternary deposits. Rock falls are prevalent in the canyons and along the western front of the Wasatch Range.

During periods of increased precipitation such as that experienced during the “wet cycle” of 1982 through 1986, slope erosion and landslide frequency is greatly increased. Seismicity, wildfires, and development are other factors that induce or enhance the likelihood of landslides in the Wasatch Front region.