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October 16, 2009

DNR Maps State’s Landslides to Improve Safety

(ANNOUNCER)  Big landslides, like the one that buried Highway 410, are rare but not unheard of in Washington State. As the state’s geological survey, the Washington Department of Natural Resources maps hundreds of smaller landslides each year.

State Geologist Dave Norman says state and local governments and private citizens get a lot of use from DNR’s maps and data about landslides:

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(DAVE NORMAN) “It goes to local government for their planning departments. We also maintain our own databases and interactive map site so that you can go online and view the mapped landslides of the state.”

(ANNOUNCER)  Norman says that where one landslide has occurred, others are more likely to happen. DNR also helps plan tsunami evacuation routes that will stay open after earthquakes. Norman says slopes can fail after earthquakes and block escape routes.


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(DAVE NORMAN) “When we have mapped out the tsunami evacuation zones, we have to take into consideration if those routes are going to be open after a earthquake.”

(ANNOUNCER)  You can find DNR’s geology maps and landslide maps online by just entering: wigm.dnr.wa.gov in your browser. ( http://wigm.dnr.wa.gov )

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Media Contact: Bob Redling, Senior Communications Manager, 360-902-1149, bob.redling@dnr.wa.gov