Sunday, February 28, 2016
Saturday, February 27, 2016
Thursday, February 25, 2016
Spruce Tree House in Mesa Verde Remains Closed Because of Rockfall
News Link
Stuff happens on vertical cliff faces..
Stuff happens on vertical cliff faces..
A Detailed Geologic Explanation of Rockfall in Glenwood Canyon
News Link
An interview with the geotech engineer that designed the foundation for the 4-lane I-70.
No surprises - vertical cliff faces are inherently unstable. Limestone has a natural pattern of vertical and horizontal fracturing that is infiltrated by snow melt during the day and then freezes overnight, so-called ice jacking, that gradually pries loose blocks of rock on the face of the cliff.
My own observation - there have been significant rockfall incidents after the 4-lane was built in 2004, 2010 and now 2016- every 6 years. Even with proactive rock scaling and barrier building by CDOT, there is so much cliff face area next to I-70 that the natural cycle of ice-jacking and large rainfall events will continue to produce rockfall events with regularity. As mentioned in the article, of more concern is the geologic history that shows a major cliff collapse that completely blocked the canyon and river 4,000 years ago. It just so happens that the Dotsero volcano erupted 4,000 years ago also. Earthquakes trigger large landslides like the Hegben event in Montana in 1959. Chances are very low that it will happen again anytime soon, but maybe it is worth pouring a lot of money into an alternate route for the periodic rockfall closures, and as an insurance policy for the "big one".
An interview with the geotech engineer that designed the foundation for the 4-lane I-70.
No surprises - vertical cliff faces are inherently unstable. Limestone has a natural pattern of vertical and horizontal fracturing that is infiltrated by snow melt during the day and then freezes overnight, so-called ice jacking, that gradually pries loose blocks of rock on the face of the cliff.
My own observation - there have been significant rockfall incidents after the 4-lane was built in 2004, 2010 and now 2016- every 6 years. Even with proactive rock scaling and barrier building by CDOT, there is so much cliff face area next to I-70 that the natural cycle of ice-jacking and large rainfall events will continue to produce rockfall events with regularity. As mentioned in the article, of more concern is the geologic history that shows a major cliff collapse that completely blocked the canyon and river 4,000 years ago. It just so happens that the Dotsero volcano erupted 4,000 years ago also. Earthquakes trigger large landslides like the Hegben event in Montana in 1959. Chances are very low that it will happen again anytime soon, but maybe it is worth pouring a lot of money into an alternate route for the periodic rockfall closures, and as an insurance policy for the "big one".
Wednesday, February 24, 2016
Asteroid Passing Earth On March 5 Might Come Close
News Link
This is a known 100 foot asteroid that last went by in 2013 at 1.3 million miles. This time the estimates are for anywhere between 11,000 to 9 million miles. I now see why NASA recently setup the Planetary Defense Coordination Office if they can't estimate better than +/- 9 million miles for the thousands of near earth asteroids.
This is a known 100 foot asteroid that last went by in 2013 at 1.3 million miles. This time the estimates are for anywhere between 11,000 to 9 million miles. I now see why NASA recently setup the Planetary Defense Coordination Office if they can't estimate better than +/- 9 million miles for the thousands of near earth asteroids.
County Officials Say Cost of Upgrading Cottonwood Pass as I-70 Alternate Would Be $Hundreds of Millions
News Link
You can still get to Glenwood on Amtrack or after 4PM on single lane pilot car guided through Glenwood that takes at least 2 hours longer than normal.
You can still get to Glenwood on Amtrack or after 4PM on single lane pilot car guided through Glenwood that takes at least 2 hours longer than normal.
Tuesday, February 23, 2016
If An Asteroid Explodes Over The Ocean, And No One Hears It, Did It Make A Sound?
If a space rock hits the atmosphere, and no one is around to hear it, does the tabloid press still report it as an Earth-shattering event? Of course!
The main point is that 70% of the earth is covered in ocean, and therefore Watson, most of the meteorite explosions in the atmosphere are not observed by humans. Then think about all the land mass of the world that is sparsely populated, like all the world's deserts, Siberia, Alaska, Canada, or a large chunk of Colorado, and you can deduce that the historical observation of these events underestimates the actual occurrence.
The main point is that 70% of the earth is covered in ocean, and therefore Watson, most of the meteorite explosions in the atmosphere are not observed by humans. Then think about all the land mass of the world that is sparsely populated, like all the world's deserts, Siberia, Alaska, Canada, or a large chunk of Colorado, and you can deduce that the historical observation of these events underestimates the actual occurrence.
CAIC Issues Report On Massive Red Mountain Pass Avalanche of Feb 13
News Link
San Juan County Sheriff Bruce Conrad wrote in his weekly blotter in the Silverton Standard & Miner that the “local backcountry skiers were extremely fortunate to survive a 1,500-foot ride on a snowy beast at over 60 mph.”
“The very large and wet avalanche required much equipment and over eight hours to remove from the roadway,” Conrad wrote. “The skiers were amazingly unharmed and can pick up their speeding citation at the Sheriff’s Office.”
Already this season, there have been 12 avalanche-related incidents in Colorado, resulting in the deaths of four people. There have been a total of 19 fatalities in avalanches in the United States so far this winter.
Monday, February 22, 2016
I-70 Glenwood Canyon Remains Closed; No Reopening Time Set
News Link
Like a home remodeling project, they have scaled down some loose rocks and found even more, bigger loose rocks underneath. There is heavy damage to the elevated deck and an unknown amount of rock yet to scale. It appears that it will be quite awhile before normal traffic flows can begin again. This is somewhat like the rockslide that closed the Million Dollar Highway outside Ouray in 2014. That rockslide closed the road for 6 months and killed the tourist businesses in Ouray. The impacts of the I-70 closure, should it go on for some time, will be bad news for Glenwood, Aspen, Fruita, and Moab.
Like a home remodeling project, they have scaled down some loose rocks and found even more, bigger loose rocks underneath. There is heavy damage to the elevated deck and an unknown amount of rock yet to scale. It appears that it will be quite awhile before normal traffic flows can begin again. This is somewhat like the rockslide that closed the Million Dollar Highway outside Ouray in 2014. That rockslide closed the road for 6 months and killed the tourist businesses in Ouray. The impacts of the I-70 closure, should it go on for some time, will be bad news for Glenwood, Aspen, Fruita, and Moab.
1200 Acre Wildfire on South End of Fort Carson
News Link
They are lobbing explosives quite regularly at Fort Carson.
They are lobbing explosives quite regularly at Fort Carson.
Sunday, February 21, 2016
Saturday, February 20, 2016
Article on CDOT's Rockfall Mitigation Program
News Link
The budget has gone from $1.5 million in 2001 to $10 million but responding to the rockfall in Glenwood Canyon this week, CDOT said despite all the monitoring equipment it has installed, it's not possible to walk and view all the thousand foot plus high cliffs in Glenwood Canyon. I don't know the cost and technical feasibility but I think looking into aerial drone surveys of the canyon during the spring and fall seasons when rockfall typically happens might work. Most of the serous rockfall incidents in the past decade have been within a mile or two of the Hanging Lake tunnel. Drones might also be able to place temporary monitoring equipment in currently inaccessible locations.
The budget has gone from $1.5 million in 2001 to $10 million but responding to the rockfall in Glenwood Canyon this week, CDOT said despite all the monitoring equipment it has installed, it's not possible to walk and view all the thousand foot plus high cliffs in Glenwood Canyon. I don't know the cost and technical feasibility but I think looking into aerial drone surveys of the canyon during the spring and fall seasons when rockfall typically happens might work. Most of the serous rockfall incidents in the past decade have been within a mile or two of the Hanging Lake tunnel. Drones might also be able to place temporary monitoring equipment in currently inaccessible locations.
Report: Emerald Ash Borer Could Cause Massive Damage in Denver Metro Area
News Link
Another invasive species from Asia.
Another invasive species from Asia.
I-25 Closed for a Few Hours Because of Blowing Debris from IKEA Sign
News Link
Downed trees, power poles across many locations in south central Colorado. Flights in and out of Aspen cancelled.
Downed trees, power poles across many locations in south central Colorado. Flights in and out of Aspen cancelled.
Colorado Record 148 MPH Wind Gust on Monarch Pass
News Link
This weather station is up on the trail at an elevation above 12,000 feet. It must have made the world's most awesome cornice. It's equivalent to a Category 4 hurricane strength. If the wind had been that strong down at the roadway level, the tourist shop there would have suffered severe damage.
This weather station is up on the trail at an elevation above 12,000 feet. It must have made the world's most awesome cornice. It's equivalent to a Category 4 hurricane strength. If the wind had been that strong down at the roadway level, the tourist shop there would have suffered severe damage.
Friday, February 19, 2016
I-70 Rockslide Closure in Glenwood Canyon to Last for Weeks
News Link
The size of the slide is much more problematic than initially thought. One lane may be open for short periods of time. Travelers and truckers are advised to find alternate routes. This could lead to temporary food shortages in Denver and points east normally supplied by trucks from California.
The size of the slide is much more problematic than initially thought. One lane may be open for short periods of time. Travelers and truckers are advised to find alternate routes. This could lead to temporary food shortages in Denver and points east normally supplied by trucks from California.
Thursday, February 18, 2016
Steamboat Springs to Strictly Enforce Leash Laws to Help Reduce Moose Incidents
News Link
About time! Because people are not likely to leash their dogs, authorities also have the option of closing trails when moose are present.
About time! Because people are not likely to leash their dogs, authorities also have the option of closing trails when moose are present.
Wednesday, February 17, 2016
NASA Program Hopes to Develop Accurate Solar Storm Models
News Link
The program will compare predicted electromagnetic field strength with observations at 6 locations in the US. The hope is to use the models to provide as much as 2 days advance warning to electric utility operators to take actions to avoid damage to the grid.
The program will compare predicted electromagnetic field strength with observations at 6 locations in the US. The hope is to use the models to provide as much as 2 days advance warning to electric utility operators to take actions to avoid damage to the grid.
I-70 Closed Until Thursday Because of Rockslides in Glenwood Canyon
News Link
Rocks fell from near the top of the canyon cliffs hitting the roadway at high velocity. A couple of trucks were damaged, no one was injured.
Rocks fell from near the top of the canyon cliffs hitting the roadway at high velocity. A couple of trucks were damaged, no one was injured.
Tuesday, February 16, 2016
Sunday, February 14, 2016
Thursday, February 11, 2016
Moose Charges Hikers in Steamboat Springs
News Link
Yet another case of the Steamboaters' dogs let off leash harassing a moose.
Yet another case of the Steamboaters' dogs let off leash harassing a moose.
Wednesday, February 10, 2016
The Story of the Crested Butte Avalanche
News Link
The snowmobilers were on a tame slope but downhill of much steeper slopes.
The snowmobilers were on a tame slope but downhill of much steeper slopes.
Tuesday, February 9, 2016
Another Rockslide at the Same Place on Hwy 24 Near Manitou Springs
News Link
No one hit this sometime. Looks like CDOT should do some scaling at that location.
No one hit this sometime. Looks like CDOT should do some scaling at that location.
Hawaii's Big Island Declares Dengue Fever Emergency
News Link
The outbreak that started in September is starting to escalate. Maui and the other islands are OK. With the Zika outbreak in Mexico and Central America, beach vacation spots are starting to dwindle.
The outbreak that started in September is starting to escalate. Maui and the other islands are OK. With the Zika outbreak in Mexico and Central America, beach vacation spots are starting to dwindle.
Monday, February 8, 2016
Here's An Article That Explains The Differences Between Snowmobiles and Snow Bikes
News Link
Yes, it was the first ever avalanche death for a snow bike in Colorado and only the second nation-wide but the increasing popularity of conversion kits could lead to more in the future.
Yes, it was the first ever avalanche death for a snow bike in Colorado and only the second nation-wide but the increasing popularity of conversion kits could lead to more in the future.
World's First Death From A Meteorite Impact Reported From India
News Link
Bus driver dead, 3 injured in Vellore.
Bus driver dead, 3 injured in Vellore.
Sunday, February 7, 2016
Rockslide Slams Into Car on US 24 Near Manitou Springs
News Link
Two people in the car escaped injury because the driver heard the cliff crack and veered the car into the opposite lane avoiding a direct hit from above.
Two people in the car escaped injury because the driver heard the cliff crack and veered the car into the opposite lane avoiding a direct hit from above.
4.0 Earthquake Caused by Injection Well West of Trinidad
News Link
The quake was reported at a depth of 1 km, which is too close to the surface to be a naturally occurring earthquake. There are 10 wastewater injection wells west of Trinidad, which the USGS has identified as the source of recent earthquakes near Trinidad.
The quake was reported at a depth of 1 km, which is too close to the surface to be a naturally occurring earthquake. There are 10 wastewater injection wells west of Trinidad, which the USGS has identified as the source of recent earthquakes near Trinidad.
Snow Biker Killed in Avalanche on Cottonwood Pass
News Link
Although similar to a snowmobile, as far as I know this is the first time Colorado has reported an avalanche incident involving a snow bike.
Although similar to a snowmobile, as far as I know this is the first time Colorado has reported an avalanche incident involving a snow bike.
Saturday, February 6, 2016
Mountain Lion Activity on the Rise in Eagle County
News Link
The story is that increased population in Eagle County results in more cat encounters.
The story is that increased population in Eagle County results in more cat encounters.
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