Utah's geologic hazards: a review for realtors (OFR-109)

By: G. E. Christenson and D. R. Mabey

Geologic hazards are important in Utah. Ever year these hazards cause significant property damage and in some years the damage totals hundreds of millions of dollars. Government facilities, particularly transportation corridors and utilities, sustain the greatest financial losses from hazards that require on-going maintenance as well as from catastrophic events that require reconstruction or relocation. However, when an industrial or residential property suffers major damage, the impact on individual’s finances can proportionally be devastating. With increasing development, particularly in areas which encroach onto sleeper terrain or onto flood plains, the potential exists for more catastrophic geologic-related damages in Utah than have been experienced since permanent settlements were established. Such events could result in the loss of thousands of lives and billions of dollars in damage to property. Although some losses due to geologic hazards are unavoidable, the adverse effect of geologic hazards can be greatly reduced by intelligent actions taken individually and collectively by residents of Utah. Such actions require that not only are the decision makers of the state informed of the nature of the hazard and what actions can be taken but that the general public e informed as well. The realtors of Utah are in a position to improve the general understanding of Utah's geologic hazards and also encourage actions that will provide the desired degree of protection from hazards.

The purpose of this document is to provide realtors with information that will enable them to understand the geologic hazards to the degree necessary to place the hazard in proper perspective and communicate this understanding to their clients. Approaches to reducing hazards and risk are also examined along with sources of more specific information that might be of use to realtors and their clients and explanations of how this information might be used.

Other Information:
Published: 1987
Pages: 7 p.
Location: Utah
Media Type: Paper Publication