Golden, Colorado, is considered to be a small town situated at the foot of Rocky Mountains, being separated by South and North Table Mountains from the Denver Metro. The analysis of the basic natural hazards observed in this area is considered to be centralized in the report; the paper will investigate the risk factors for the hazards and the level of damage produced by each hazard. The central point will be also dedicated to the examination of the principle rock types to find out the nature of the hazards and the way they operate. It is necessary to underline the fact the report will be a valuable contribution to the comparative research of natural hazards on the basis of investigation their risks within other geographical areas. The report will use the valid updated resources for the natural phenomena presentation through the qualitative and descriptive techniques usage.
The Golden Valley, Colorado, has the following basic rock types to be analyzed:
- Igneous;
- Sedimentary;
- Metamorphic.
The first type is characterized by a magma; that is hot melted rock erupting from volcano being called lava. Speaking of sedimentary type, it is necessary to stress that the rocks are formed from the sediment layers; these are the rock pieces covering mud, clay, sand and pebbles, which used to be hardened into sedimentary forms with the time. And, finally, metamorphic rocks are considered to be changed from sedimentary and igneous rock; they are created under the influence of heat and pressure. (Geologic Hazards, 2009)
It should be stressed that geologists identify the type of rocks in accordance with the character of the materials they are formed of; considering these factors, Golden Valley has the following five basic rock types: coal (brittle and blackish rock being composed of plant remains); breccia (cemented rocks formed of non-rounded rock fragments); conglomerate (rounded rock fragments, cemented pebbles); limestone (marine life fossils, having grey or dark color); and sandstone (silica small particles).
The analysis of the hazards observed at the Golden Valley, Colorado, is to be based on the following types: rockfall, flooding, landslides, and swelling soils. Rockfall is considered to be the major hazard, being initiated by climatic event causing changes in the rock forces acting. It is necessary to underline the fact such events can be based on rainfall infiltration, freeze thaw processes, chemical degradation, materials erosion or rock weathering. The risk of rockfall threat is considered to be very high and it is impossible to detect the potential risks by any technique in the sphere of rock engineering. The Golden Valley experiences such hazard during the release of the block through small deformations within surrounding rock mass. (The Analysis of Rockfall Hazards. 1996)
Flooding is the natural hazards which is divided into phenomena having primary and secondary effects; the primary cover contact with water, while the secondary are associated with the services disruption, tertiary effects and health impacts. It is necessary to stress that floods can be observed at anytime; in order to predict these hazard, the following techniques are to be considered: the conduction of statistical studies determining the risk and probability of their affection; the modeling and mapping of the floods to be prepared for their threats; the monitoring of the hazard to provide prediction. There are some factors affecting the development of hazard within the Golden, Colorado; they are: subsidence, storm sewers, infiltration reduction, and channelization. The techniques to be used for flood response are concentrated of engineering approach controlling the phenomenon, and regulatory approach decreasing the flooding vulnerability. (Nelson, 2009)
Landslides are the rocks flowing on slopes through the gravity; they can be observed within any terrain, serving as the means of redistribution of soil abruption of the collapses. It should be noted that the factors stimulating the landslides can be based on both, human made and geophysical causes within developed and undeveloped areas. The landslides can be of different types, such as sliding, rotational failure, and translational failure. The Golden Valley is affected by landslides through the affection of both, primary and secondary factors, experiencing the threat of every type. (Geologic Hazards, 2009)
Swelling soils is considered to be the type of hazard which can be observed through the water content changes; the potential damage of this hazard is limited to seasonal changes within the soil-moisture active zone; the existence of this zone is the principle reason for this hazard promotion in Golden Valley, Colorado. The prediction of this hazard is to be based on the conduction of lab tests to be designed for the measurement of the pressure being generated by the wetted soil. (Meyer, 2008)
In accordance with the Golden City Council regulations, the minimization of the hazards risk is to be especially centralized; the principle aims are directed at the development of efficient prediction programs on the basis of qualified lab tests, researches, geological broadcast. Special attention is paid to the geo-engineering development with the formation of various tool, techniques and approaches for natural hazards prevention.
References
Geologic Hazards. Natural Hazards. 2009. Web.
Meyer, P. Landscape Hazard Manual. Trainer’s Handbook. Hazard Manual. 2008.
Nelson, S. Flooding Hazards, Prediction and Human Intervention. Tulane University. 2009.
The Analysis of Rockfall Hazards. 1996. Web.