Naturally Occurring Geological Hazards

Naturally occurring geological hazards (geohazards) are processes that have the potential to cause damage to property or loss of life. The Alberta Geological Survey (AGS) program focuses only upon the processes involving soil or rock. This means we do not include weather-type hazards such as avalanches or flooding. Although geological hazards have rarely resulted in loss of life to Albertans, they have incurred significant costs in infrastructure repair and in the design and construction of preventative measures.

The most common geological hazard in Alberta is landslides. Other types include soil expansion, seismicity, volcanic ash, shallow gas and subsidence associated with both natural and man-made events.

For naturally occurring geological hazards in Alberta, our staff uses mapping techniques and the latest in remote-sensing tools. These devices enable us to better understand, map and predict the location of geological hazards on provincial, regional and local levels. One of the latest AGS initiatives is a renewed focus on the geology and associated hazards in Alberta’s cities. These urban geology studies collect data from thousands of test holes to develop detailed, 3-D geological models of the subsurface, giving municipal officials and industry experts the information they need to better prepare for future geological events.