Ongoing Seismicity, More Avalanches in Calif, Alaska

Old Hazards Enhanced by ‘New’ Factors

Persistent low-level seismicity, extreme rain events in California and Alaska increases the frequency of avalanches, landslides

Just days after an avalanche in Alaska killed the President of ConocoPhillips Alaska operations and left his top financial aide missing, another avalanche closed the only highway between Anchorage and the Kenai Peninsula in Alaska a few hours ago,  KTUU reported.

The avalanche piled snow as much as 20 feet high in some places (Rich Jordan/KTUU-DT). Image may be subject to copyright. see Fair Use notice. Click image to enlarge.

In California, “the transition roads from the westbound Interstate 10 and northbound 71 Freeway to the northbound 57 Freeway” were shut down by Caltrans down after an entire hillside collapsed onto traffic lanes below, Daily Press reported.

The clean up may take up to a week as rain is expected over the weekend, California Highway Patrol officials were reported as saying.

Caltrans officials view a landslide that covered the connector road from the westbound 10 Freeway to the northbound 57 Freeway in San Dimas on Thursday (local time). (Keith Durflinger/Staff Photographer).  Image may be subject to copyright. see Fair Use notice.

Related Links:

• Alaska Shaking and Rattling Like a Popcorn Pan
• ConocoPhillips Alaska Head Killed in Avalanche
• Italian Town Buried by Mud Avalanche
• Landslides
• 2010: Year One of Human-Enhanced Disasters
• Extreme Rain Events, Floods, Mudslides 2010
• 2010: The Year of Disasters