Thurston County commission reviews geologic-hazards code update, debates 400-foot permit trigger At a March 4 Planning Commission meeting, staff presented a draft update to the geologically hazardous areas chapter of the Critical Areas Ordinance, citing new DNR landslide mapping and a range of geotechnical report requirements; commissioners debated lowering a 400-foot permit trigger to 200 feet and heard public calls for clearer materials and more review time.

Thurston County is re-evaluating its geologically hazardous areas code, with heated debates on whether to reduce the permit trigger from 400 feet to 200 feet—what could this mean for homeowners and safety?

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#ThurstonCounty #WA #CitizenPortal #PublicSafety #GeologicalHazards

Planning commission reviews geologic hazards and groundwater concerns as part of Critical Areas Ordinance update Commissioners and staff discussed geologically hazardous areas, groundwater and streamflow concerns, septic-linked contamination and the implementation challenges of geotechnical reporting for the county's Critical Areas Ordinance update. Staff emphasized DNR lidar maps, CAO site-specific tools and the limits of county authority on water-quality regulation.

Thurston County is grappling with the challenges of geologically hazardous areas and groundwater concerns that could impact thousands of private wells and public health.

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#ThurstonCounty #WA #PublicHealth #GeologicalHazards #CitizenPortal

When the Earth SWALLOWS You: Sinkholes & BURIED Secrets What if the most solid thing you know—the ground beneath your feet—is actually an illusion, honeycombed with voids and waiting to collapse? It's time to find out what lies beneath. This is the ultimate deep dive into the terrifying and fascinating science of sinkholes. We explore the bizarre geology of karst landscapes, where a world of dissolving limestone and underground rivers creates the perfect conditions for the earth to literally swallow houses, cars, and roads whole. This isn't a rare phenomenon; it's a hidden reality for huge parts of the world. We go beyond the shocking headlines to understand the science of subsidence. How do experts use cutting-edge technology like Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) to peer beneath the surface and predict the next disaster? We'll also navigate the complex human aftermath, from the high-stakes world of property insurance in places like Florida to the legal battles over what defines a "sinkhole" versus a Catastrophic Ground Cover Collapse (CGCC). This is more than an Earth Science lesson; it's an investigation into the hidden dangers we drive over and live on top of every single day, revealing a fragile, hollow world you never knew existed. Ready to question the very ground you stand on? Subscribe now to uncover the secrets of the subterranean world, before it opens up to claim you.

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Boulder Falls Trail Closure Following Catastrophic Rockfall Hazards Revealed Boulder Falls remains closed post rockfall, highlighting ongoing geological hazards in the area.

Major updates from the Boulder Open Space Board reveal exciting progress on the Chapman Drive Trailhead, while Boulder Falls faces a perilous future after a devastating rockfall.

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#BoulderBoulderCounty #CO #CitizenPortal #PublicSafety #GeologicalHazards #BoulderOpenSpace

'Sleeping giant' fault beneath Canada could unleash a major earthquake, research suggests A new assessment of the enormous Tintina fault suggests it has been slowly accumulating strain over thousands of years.

'Sleeping giant' fault beneath Canada could unleash a major earthquake, research suggests #Science #EarthSciences #Geology #EarthquakeRisk #GeologicalHazards #CanadaFaults

Utah officials push for earthquake early warning system to protect critical infrastructure State implements new geologic data system and seeks federal funding for earthquake early warning system.

Utah is taking bold steps to safeguard its communities against natural disasters with a new earthquake early warning system and innovative geological data solutions.

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#UT #CitizenPortal #GeologicalHazards #DisasterPreparedness #InfrastructureResilience