The Arizona Land Subsidence Group released a new report on "Land Subsidence and Earth Fissures in Arizona" (www.azlsg.org and www.azgs.az.gov), that calls for research into the origin, mechanics, and behavior of earth fissures and subsidence. The report, jointly authored by the group, also calls for finding ways to identify areas of potential subsidence and fissuring, and developing engineering practices and mitigation measures to reduce risk .
ALSG proposed setting up research centers at Arizona universities, establishing a long-term monitoring program, creating an online interoperable data network, and partnering with other states and countries that have similar hazards.
The AZGS is carrying out a fissure mapping program that is likely the most extensive and sysematic in the nation, but ALSG noted that this is only one step in the comprehensive approach needed to deal with the severity of the problem.
Since the ALSG report was posted on December 12, it has downloaded over 1250 times. The story was covered by several Phoenix area newspapers and KGUN tv (Ch 9 Tucson) weather did a piece on earth fissures that includeda short note about ALSG. Additionally, a summary of one of the newspaper articles was picked up and broadcast by several prominent web sites, including Geology.com.
