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Title: Geology of Las Vegas, Nevada, United States of America

Abstract

Las Vegas is one of the fastest growing cities in the US. Its regional geologic setting is in the Basin and Range geomorphic province and in the Sevier orogenic belt. The city itself lies in a broad north-south valley formed by coalescing alluvial fans and lake beds which give rise to several soil and foundation problems. Although destructive earthquakes have not occurred in the Las Vegas area in modern times, the record is very short. Major earthquakes could have taken place in the past when the area was unoccupied except for a few nomadic tribes. Studies are underway to better define the seismicity. Although the climate is hot and dry, flash flooding occurs frequently from late summer thunderstorms and torrential rains. The Regional Flood Control District is actively constructing retention basins and drainage improvements for diversion and protection from such floods. Water supply is a problem for the increasing population. The groundwater supply has long been overdrawn, and the allotment to Nevada under the Colorado River Compact will be completely utilized in the near future. Las Vegas has faced the problems of solid waste disposal, water treatment, rational water use, flooding and earthquakes - all of which are related tomore » the unique geologic and geomorphic setting.« less

Authors:
;  [1];  [2]; ;  [3];
  1. Univ. of Nevada, Las Vegas (United States)
  2. Clark County Regional Flood Control District, Las Vegas, NV (United States)
  3. Kleinfelder, Las Vegas, NV (United States)
Publication Date:
OSTI Identifier:
6520522
Resource Type:
Journal Article
Journal Name:
Bulletin of the Association of Engineering Geologists; (United States)
Additional Journal Information:
Journal Volume: 30:1; Journal ID: ISSN 0004-5691
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English
Subject:
58 GEOSCIENCES; NEVADA; GEOLOGY; HYDROLOGY; CLIMATES; FLOODS; GEOMORPHOLOGY; GROUND WATER; RISK ASSESSMENT; SEISMICITY; SITE CHARACTERIZATION; URBAN AREAS; WATER RESOURCES; WATER USE; DEVELOPED COUNTRIES; DISASTERS; HYDROGEN COMPOUNDS; NORTH AMERICA; OXYGEN COMPOUNDS; RESOURCES; USA; WATER; 580000* - Geosciences

Citation Formats

Wyman, R V, Karakouzian, M, Bax-Valentine, V, Peterson, L, Palmer, S, and Slemmons, D B. Geology of Las Vegas, Nevada, United States of America. United States: N. p., 1993. Web. doi:10.2113/gseegeosci.xxx.1.33.
Wyman, R V, Karakouzian, M, Bax-Valentine, V, Peterson, L, Palmer, S, & Slemmons, D B. Geology of Las Vegas, Nevada, United States of America. United States. https://doi.org/10.2113/gseegeosci.xxx.1.33
Wyman, R V, Karakouzian, M, Bax-Valentine, V, Peterson, L, Palmer, S, and Slemmons, D B. 1993. "Geology of Las Vegas, Nevada, United States of America". United States. https://doi.org/10.2113/gseegeosci.xxx.1.33.
@article{osti_6520522,
title = {Geology of Las Vegas, Nevada, United States of America},
author = {Wyman, R V and Karakouzian, M and Bax-Valentine, V and Peterson, L and Palmer, S and Slemmons, D B},
abstractNote = {Las Vegas is one of the fastest growing cities in the US. Its regional geologic setting is in the Basin and Range geomorphic province and in the Sevier orogenic belt. The city itself lies in a broad north-south valley formed by coalescing alluvial fans and lake beds which give rise to several soil and foundation problems. Although destructive earthquakes have not occurred in the Las Vegas area in modern times, the record is very short. Major earthquakes could have taken place in the past when the area was unoccupied except for a few nomadic tribes. Studies are underway to better define the seismicity. Although the climate is hot and dry, flash flooding occurs frequently from late summer thunderstorms and torrential rains. The Regional Flood Control District is actively constructing retention basins and drainage improvements for diversion and protection from such floods. Water supply is a problem for the increasing population. The groundwater supply has long been overdrawn, and the allotment to Nevada under the Colorado River Compact will be completely utilized in the near future. Las Vegas has faced the problems of solid waste disposal, water treatment, rational water use, flooding and earthquakes - all of which are related to the unique geologic and geomorphic setting.},
doi = {10.2113/gseegeosci.xxx.1.33},
url = {https://www.osti.gov/biblio/6520522}, journal = {Bulletin of the Association of Engineering Geologists; (United States)},
issn = {0004-5691},
number = ,
volume = 30:1,
place = {United States},
year = {Mon Mar 01 00:00:00 EST 1993},
month = {Mon Mar 01 00:00:00 EST 1993}
}