Geohazards

Statement of Qualifications

Mankind lives on the earth. While the ground upon which we live seems to be, for the most part, firm, stable and static, in actuality it is dynamic and in a continual state of flux as the lithosphere (the earth's outermost crust) adjusts to the Earth's inner, molten core. In addition, wind, rain, rivers and streams, and human activity continually modify the earth’s surface. Geologic Hazards are naturally occurring (or man-made) geologic conditions capable of causing damage or loss of property and/or life. Geologic Hazards Mitigation is the application of geologic engineering principles to minimize or prevent the effects of naturally occurring geologic hazards.

Geologic hazards phenomena can occur suddenly, or slowly. Sudden phenomena include:

Gradual or slow developing geologic phenomena include:
Geologic hazards can play a significant role when  infrastructure is constructed in their presence. The unpredictable nature of natural geologic hazards makes identifying, evaluating, and mitigating against them a unique challenge. The best geologic mitigation strategy is always avoidance. When avoiding a hazard is not possible however, mitigation strategies must be developed to coexist (mitigate) with the hazard. Tierra Group has applied its 100+ years combined professional geological and engineering expertise interpreting landforms and earth processes, evaluating earth-structure interaction and providing geologic hazards mitigation consulting or design services for:

• Avalanche Mitigation - Hazard Area Identification, Hydrodynamic Modeling (Run-out Analyses), Retention and Deflection Structures, Planning, Permitting
• Landslides (Debris and Mudflows, Rock Fall) - Identification, Monitoring, Modeling, Forensics, Mitigation
• Slope Stabilization - Retaining Walls, Mechanically Stabilized Earth, Soil and Rock Anchors (bolts), Gabions, Earth Buttresses
• Ground Improvement - Grouting Programs, Dynamic Compaction, Slurry Walls, Subterranean Dewatering, Seismic Design (Liquefaction)
• Flooding - Probability, Inundation Studies, Predictive Modeling, Erosion Prevention

Regardless of the geological hazards encountered Tierra Group’s broad experience, intimate attention to site-specific conditions, and keen focus on developing innovative solutions has earned us a respected reputation and a loyal client following, around the world.