Lauren's GeoJournal Week 7

 Lauren's GeoJournal Week 7

University of Idaho geologist discusses cause of rockslide near Riggins | ktvb.com

Although hard to say exactly what triggered this event, experts know that many factors contributed such as multiple component rocks sitting on high density faults, and rocks being lubricated with talc, which makes it easier for rocks to move. Idaho Transportation Department in Riggins, the scene of this landslide, state that slow movement is easy to track, whereas landslides/rockslides such as this are quick and instantaneous, making it much harder to predict. This event closed Highway 95 for a few days, since this highway is one of the only ways across. This particular landslide would be categorized as a rockslide. In the future, it may be possible to blast rocks off the steeper slopes that are more susceptible to these occurrences, but that would leave yet another layer of rocks underneath. Another alternative would be some large barriers, but that would be a financial burden. So, since this area is very prone to this type of natural disaster, cautionary measures have yet to be implemented.