Skip to main content

geology

Smugglers Notch Rockfall

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.

Recent Earthquakes in Vermont

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.

Radon

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.

Open File Reports

vista from mountaintop

Open File reports include 1:24,000 scale bedrock, surficial, and groundwater maps published between 1963 and the present.  Open File reports have a minimal level of review for conformance with editorial standards.  All interpretations are those of the author. Most recent maps are Open File reports and include GIS data.

Environmental Geology Reports, 1971-1975

The Environmental GeologyReport series are simplified versions of maps of bedrock and surficial materials, construction conditions, groundwater potential, solid waste disposal, sand and gravel reserves, and septic conditions. The series, developed for planning purposes, includes text and regional information.

Env Geology No 1: Geology for Environmental Planning in the Barre-Montpelier Region, Vermont, DP Stewart, 1971, 5 plates plus text 

Subscribe to geology