InSAR analysis of ground surface deformation in Cedar Valley, Iron County, Utah


Book Description

This 43-page report presents new Interferometric Synthetic Aperture Radar (InSAR) analysis of ground water subsidence in Cedar Valley in Iron County, Utah. This analysis is based on InSAR data from the ERS-1/2 satellites from 1992 to 2000, and the Envisat satellite from 2004 to 2010. A stack of five consecutive interferograms from the 1992-2000 time period and a stack of four consecutive interferograms from the 2004-2010 time period are included in this report; however, decorrelation in the vicinity of the Enoch graben makes an estimate of total deformation impossible using the stacks. In total, surface deformation has impacted approximately 256 km² (100 mi²) in Cedar Valley. Subsidence rates in the vicinity of the Enoch graben increased from approximately 0.5-1.0 cm/yr to roughly 1-2 cm/yr after 1999. Similarly, rates in central Cedar Valley show a general increasing trend after 1999, but rates appear to be more erratic than the other two sites. The spatial distribution of deformation in Cedar Valley correlates well with both the location of observed fissuring as well as the location of both municipal and private groundwater production wells. The fissuring observed near Quichapa Lake, as well as within the Enoch graben, is likely a direct result of groundwater pumping in these areas.




Investigation of land subsidence and earth fissures in Cedar Valley, Iron County, Utah


Book Description

This 116-page report presents the results of an investigation by the Utah Geological Survey of land subsidence and earth fissures in Cedar Valley, Iron County, Utah. Basin-fill sediments of the Cedar Valley Aquifer contain a high percentage of fine-grained material susceptible to compaction upon dewatering. Groundwater discharge in excess of recharge (groundwater mining) has lowered the potentiometric surface in Cedar Valley as much as 114 feet since 1939. Groundwater mining has caused permanent compaction of fine-grained sediments of the Cedar Valley aquifer, which has caused the land surface to subside, and a minimum of 8.3 miles of earth fissures to form. Recently acquired interferometric synthetic aperture radar imagery shows that land subsidence has affected approximately 100 mi² in Cedar Valley, but a lack of accurate historical benchmark elevation data over much of the valley prevents its detailed quantification. Continued groundwater mining and resultant subsidence will likely cause existing fissures to lengthen and new fissures to form which may eventually impact developed areas in Cedar Valley. This report also includes possible aquifer management options to help mitigate subsidence and fissure formation, and recommended guidelines for conducting subsidence-related hazard investigations prior to development.




Survey Notes


Book Description










Geotechnical Engineering for Transportation Projects


Book Description

GSP 126 contains 223 papers presented at Geo-Trans 2004, held in Los Angeles, California, July 27-31, 2004.




Geomorphology


Book Description

A modern, quantitative, process-oriented approach to geomorphology and the role of Earth surface processes in shaping landforms, starting from basic principles.




Reservoir Characterization


Book Description

Reservoir Characterization is a collection of papers presented at the Reservoir Characterization Technical Conference, held at the Westin Hotel-Galleria in Dallas on April 29-May 1, 1985. Conference held April 29-May 1, 1985, at the Westin Hotel—Galleria in Dallas. The conference was sponsored by the National Institute for Petroleum and Energy Research, Bartlesville, Oklahoma. Reservoir characterization is a process for quantitatively assigning reservoir properties, recognizing geologic information and uncertainties in spatial variability. This book contains 19 chapters, and begins with the geological characterization of sandstone reservoir, followed by the geological prediction of shale distribution within the Prudhoe Bay field. The subsequent chapters are devoted to determination of reservoir properties, such as porosity, mineral occurrence, and permeability variation estimation. The discussion then shifts to the utility of a Bayesian-type formalism to delineate qualitative ""soft"" information and expert interpretation of reservoir description data. This topic is followed by papers concerning reservoir simulation, parameter assignment, and method of calculation of wetting phase relative permeability. This text also deals with the role of discontinuous vertical flow barriers in reservoir engineering. The last chapters focus on the effect of reservoir heterogeneity on oil reservoir. Petroleum engineers, scientists, and researchers will find this book of great value.




Guidelines for the Geologic Evaluation of Debris-flow Hazards on Alluvial Fans in Utah


Book Description

The Utah Geological Survey (UGS) developed these guidelines to help geologists evaluate debris-flow hazards on alluvial fans to ensure safe development. Debris-flow hazard evaluations are particularly important because alluvial fans are the primary sites of debris-flow deposition and are also favored sites for development. The purpose of a debris-flow-hazard evaluation is to characterize the hazard and provide design parameters for risk reduction. The UGS recommends critical facilities and structures for human occupancy not be placed in active debris flow travel and deposition areas unless the risk is reduced to an acceptable level. These guidelines use the characteristics of alluvial fan deposits as well as drainage-basin and feeder-channel sediment-supply conditions to evaluate debris-flow hazards. The hazard evaluation relies on the geomorphology, sedimentology, and stratigraphy of existing alluvial fan deposits. Analysis of alluvial-fan deposits provides the geologic basis for estimating frequency and potential volume of debris flows and describing debris-flow behavior. Drainage-basin and feeder-channel characteristics determine potential debris-flow susceptibility and the volume of stored channel sediment available for sediment bulking in future flows.