Geology And Geological Hazards Of The Vancouver Region Southwestern British Columbia

The historical and geological record indicate that the earthquake hazard in south-western British Columbia is relatively high. This bulletin presents results of a major paleoseismological investigation consisting of several related interdisciplinary studies that extend the seismic record of the region into prehistory. Three introductory sections contain background material on the region's geologic and tectonic setting, earthquake sources, historical seismicity, and research methods used. This is followed by four sections summarizing paleoseismological research on the following indicators of possible past earthquakes: sea level changes, tsunamis and their deposits, liquefaction of ground, and landslides. The final sections are concerned with seismic hazards (ground motion, ground rupture, subsidence and flooding, tsunamis and seiches, liquefaction, landslides) and analysis of risk and recurrence of earthquakes.

The ten geological field guides presented in this volume explore key areas of the geologist's paradise that is Washington State and British Columbia. These trips investigate a wide variety of geological and geographical terrains, from the dry steppe of the channeled scablands and Columbia River basalt group to the east, across the glaciated and forested Cascade arc and Coast Mountains, to the geologically complex islands in the west. This guidebook may be unique in that four of the trips utilize boats to reach remote field areas and are therefore rarely visited by geologists.

"Nine field guides explore diverse topics such as urban geology and geoheritage in Metro Vancouver, the processes and postglacial adjustments of the Cordilleran Ice Sheet, and human interaction and adaptation to geological and climate changes in British Columbia"--

The 16 papers in this volume constitute a summary of recent research on the geological architecture and environment of the Fraser River delta, and the physical and chemical processes operating on it. The first two papers are overviews of the geological and seismic setting of the delta. The next two papers summarize present-day sedimentary environments on the delta. A third group of papers covers the geological architecture, or lithostratigraphy, of the delta and the biological structure or biofacies of the delta. The final group of papers is concerned with natural hazards and environmental issues, including earthquakes, geotechnical stability, and seafloor sediment geochemistry.