Structural characterization of rockfall sources in Yosemite Valley from remote sensing data and field surveys

Battista Matasci, Dario Carrea, Michel Jaboyedoff, Andrea Pedrazzini, Greg M. Stock, Thierry Oppikofer

In the proceedings of: GEO2011: 64th Canadian Geotechnical Conference, 14th Pan-American Conference on Soil Mechanics and Geotechnical Engineering, 5th Pan-American Conference on Teaching and Learning of Geotechnical Engineering

Session: Landslides

ABSTRACT: Yosemite Valley poses significant rockfall hazard and related risk due to its glacially steepened walls and approximately 4 million visitors annually. To assess rockfall hazard, it is necessary to evaluate the geologic structure that contributes to the destabilization of rockfall sources and locate the most probable future source areas. Coupling new remote sensing techniques (Terrestrial Laser Scanning, Aerial Laser Scanning) and traditional field surveys, we investigated the regional geologic and structural setting, the orientation of the primary discontinuity sets for large areas of Yosemite Valley, and the specific discontinuity sets present at active rockfall sources. This information, combined with better understanding of the geologic processes that contribute to the progressive destabilization and triggering of granitic rock slabs, will help to assess rockfall susceptibility for Yosemite Valley and elsewhere.

RÉSUMÉ: Dans la vallée de Yosemite le risque lié aux instabilités rocheuses est très important à cause des grandes parois de granite et deles structures géologiques et de localiser les futures zones sources les plus probables. Grâce au couplage de nouvelles techniques de télédétectigrande partie de la vallée et plus en détail pour des sources de chutes de blocs actives. Ces informations, combinées avec une meilleure compréhension des processus géologiques qui contribuent à la déstabilisation progressive et au e la susceptibilité aux chutes de blocs dans la vallée de Yosemite et ailleurs.

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