Rock fall simulation at Timpanogos Cave National Monument, American Fork Canyon, Utah, USA

Landslides
By: , and 

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Abstract

Rock fall from limestone cliffs at Timpanogos Cave National Monument in American Fork Canyon east of Provo, Utah, is a common occurrence. The cave is located in limestone cliffs high on the southern side of the canyon. One fatality in 1933 led to the construction of rock fall shelters at the cave entrance and exit in 1976. Numerous rock fall incidents, including a near miss in 2000 in the vicinity of the trail below the cave exit, have led to a decision to extend the shelter at the cave exit to protect visitors from these ongoing rock fall events initiating from cliffs immediately above the cave exit. Three-dimensional rock fall simulations from sources at the top of these cliffs have provided data from which to assess the spatial frequencies and velocities of rock falls from the cliffs and to constrain the design of protective measures to reduce the rock fall hazard. Results from the rock fall simulations are consistent with the spatial patterns of rock fall impacts that have been observed at the cave exit site.

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Publication type Article
Publication Subtype Journal Article
Title Rock fall simulation at Timpanogos Cave National Monument, American Fork Canyon, Utah, USA
Series title Landslides
DOI 10.1007/s10346-010-0251-7
Volume 8
Issue 3
Year Published 2011
Language English
Publisher Springer
Publisher location Amsterdam, Netherlands
Contributing office(s) Geologic Hazards Science Center
Description 7 p.
First page 373
Last page 379
Country United States
State Utah
Other Geospatial Timpanogos Cave National Monument
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