GEOLOGY AND GIS FOR PLANNING: AN EXAMPLE FROM MONTEREY COUNTY, CALIFORNIA

A comprehensive digital database on Monterey County geology was prepared for the Monterey County 21st Century General Plan Update. The database includes geologic units, faults, landslide and liquefaction susceptibility, and mineral resources. These data are in a geographic information system (GIS) format that provides a unified, seamless coverage for the seventy-nine 1:24,000 scale quadrangles encompassing Monterey County. Landslides are probably the most costly geologic hazard in Monterey County. Highly susceptible parts of the county to landsliding include areas underlain by the Franciscan Complex (Big Sur coast) and areas underlain by the Monterey Formation (Carmel Valley). Coastal erosion of sand dunes along the Monterey Bay and of marine terrace deposits along the Bug Sur coast present a significant constraint to development in these areas. Other geologic hazards in Monterey County include fault rupture, strong shaking, and liquefaction. Fault rupture hazards are highest along the San Andreas fault and high for the San Gregorio, Reliz/Rinconada, and the Monterey Bay/Tularcitos fault zones. Severe damage from strong shaking and liquefaction occurred during several earthquakes, most notably in the 1906 San Francisco and the 1989 Loma Prieta earthquakes. Liquefaction is most likely in saturated and loose, geologically young, granular deposits such as in the Moss Landing and the Salinas Valley areas. The digital databases can be plotted as paper maps or viewed interactively on a computer in the office or field. The GIS format allows users to create their own specialized maps such as delineating the distribution of geologic hazards along the highway and lifeline alignments.

• Supplemental Notes:
  • Unlike most groups and organizations that meet on a regular basis, the Highway Geology Symposium has no central headquarters, no annual fees, and no formal membership requirements. The governing body of the Symposium is a Steering Committee. Recent proceedings may be obtained from the Treasurer of the Symposium, Mr. Russell Glass.
• Corporate Authors:

  Mr. Russell Glass

  100 Wolf Cove Road
  Asheville, NC  United States  28804
• Authors:
  • Rosenberg, L I
• Conference:
  • Better Highways Through Applied Geology. 53rd Annual Highway Geology Symposium
  • Location: San Luis Obispo, California
  • Date: 2002-8-13 to 2002-8-16
• Publication Date: 2002

Language

• English

Media Info

• Features: Figures; References; Tables;
• Pagination: p. 171-182

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Coasts; Databases; Earthquakes; Erosion; Faults; Geographic information systems; Geology; Landslides; Liquefaction; Maps; Mineral resources; Planning
• Uncontrolled Terms: Geohazards
• Geographic Terms: Monterey County (California)
• Subject Areas: Geotechnology; Highways; Planning and Forecasting; I42: Soil Mechanics; I43: Rock Mechanics; I72: Traffic and Transport Planning;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00962021
• Record Type: Publication
• Report/Paper Numbers: CD-ROM
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Aug 8 2003 12:00AM