geology

Introduction to Geophysical Logging

• What is an earthquake?
• What are tectonic plates?
• Intra vs. inter plate earthqaukes
• Earthquakes in New England
• Amplification

What is an earthquake?

On the morning of May 31, 2020 a large rock fall event occurred in Smugglers Notch in Cambridge, Vermont. A portion of the cliff face high up on the west side just north of Cass's Gully broke off and fell onto the talus slope below. As they fell, large blocks of schist bounced, rolled, or slid down the talus slope. Many trees were damaged or snapped or swept along by the falling pieces of rock.

15 mild earthquakes with epicenters in Vermont occurred between January 1, 2016 and April 1, 2020. The New England Seismic Network reports a 1.9 event near Enosbury Falls on Feb. 12, 2020.  A 2.1 magnitude earthquake occurred at 9:30 am (EST) on December 6, 2018.

Chittenden County Multi-Hazard Analysis and URM Building Summary

Seismic Hazard Communication and Education for Vermont

Text and images amended from G. Springston, S. Wright, and C. Dowey.

Radon is a colorless, odorless, and tasteless gas that forms naturally from the radioactive decay of uranium in rocks, surficial materials, and soils over millions of years. After formation, radon can move through fractures and layering in rocks or through connected pores in surficial materials and soils and enter a home through the foundation. Exposure to radon in indoor air is estimated by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to be the second leading cause of lung cancer, with smoking being the first.

George Springston, 2000