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<br /> <br />Introduction <br /> <br />Americans sustain more than $1 bi II ion in damages annually <br />from landslides, mudflows, subsidence, avalanches, and other <br />common earth movements. The cost figures do not include <br />earthquakes or loss of life. While no similar figures have <br />been compi led for Colorado, the price tag is In the mill ions <br />of dollars. In California, where geologic hazards and <br />improper construction practices associated with them also <br />abound, planning officials project $300 mi Illon annually In <br />damages and related geologic hazard costs--nearly $3 bill ion <br />In a decade. <br /> <br />At the same time the planners believe the losses "could be <br />reduced 90 percent or more by a comb I nat I on of measures <br />1 nvo I v 1 og adequate geo I 09' c I nterpretat I cns, good eog J near i 09 <br />practice, and effective enforcement of legal restralnts"on <br />I and use and dl sturbance.,q I <br /> <br />i <br />The situation Is put further Into perspective by' the <br />conclusion that "although slope failures generally are not so <br />spectacular or costly as certain other natural catastrophes <br />such as earthquakes, major floods, and tornadoes, they are <br />more widespread and the tota I f I nanc I a I loss due to s lope <br />failures (landslides. etc.) Is probably greater than that for <br />any other geologic hazard to manklnd."l <br /> <br />Another national study of nIne natural hazards estimated the <br />losses in the tens of b III Ions of do I I ars. I t forecast <br />accelerated property damage and deaths unless mitigation <br />measures are Initiated. It categorically predicted marked <br />reductions of losses (up to 85 percent) by Implementing <br />geologic investigations. building and siting requirements <br />that acknowledge and compensate for known hazard areas.2 <br /> <br />1 Landslides: Analysis and Control, Special Report 176. <br />Robert L. Schuster and Raymond J. Krizek, editors; National <br />Academy of Sciences. 1978; 234 p. <br /> <br />211Natural Hazards--Earthquake, Landsl ide, Expansive Soi I <br />Loss Models," John H. Wiggins, James E. Slosson, James P. <br />Krohn; and 113u i I ding Losses from Natura I Hazards: Yesterday, <br />Today and Tomorrow,.l Daniel H. Saar; J.H. ~iggins Company, <br />1650 South Pacific Highway. Redondo Beach. CA, 90277; <br />December 1978. <br /> <br />1 <br />