Quaternary landslides are common across southern Utah. Instability factors include from lithologic, structural, and hydrological. My research focuses on landslides on the Markagunt Plateau in both volcanic and sedimentary rocks. Small landslides (>0.5 km^3) in the Threemile Creek area are controlled by groundwater flow along structures produced during the Miocene Markagunt Gravity Slide that covers the top of the Markagunt Plateau. These research has implications for geologic hazards, forest management, and road maintenance and construction in the area.
Zachary D. Smith