Landslide Investigations & Geology Reports in Los Angeles
Certain hillside parcels may be located within landslides, or be susceptible to experiencing a landslide. Los Angeles residents, and those of the surrounding areas, have known their fair share of such parcels. To determine the existence, condition, or risk of a landslide, aerial photos and field investigations can be used by a geologist and soils engineer. Los Angeles inhabitants do not usually find it surprising that such investigations must be conducted. Armed with them, a geologist can ascertain whether a slide is ancient or active, assess the risks associated with future sliding, and describe the physical properties of the slide.
The information gathered enables engineers to design structures capable of withstanding or preventing a future landslide event. A landslide investigation, whose findings are rendered in a geology report, typically involves descending down a vertical shaft that is two feet wide and up to 100 feet deep into the ground. The geologist makes observations and downhole logs of the physical characteristics of the rock strata; some field samples are also taken to the lab for further analysis. AES geologists have performed hundreds of landslide investigations throughout the Southern California area.