Nathaniel Gant GE 306 Lab Rock Fall Lab
Memorial Stadium Problem: This slope is located nearly 10 meters from the base of the track and it almost adjacent to the stands of the memorial stadium. In addition, a row of pull-up bars is a few feet from the base of the slope. Rocks falling from this land mass may potentially harm people crossing that area as well as the track itself. Runners using the track could potentially be hit by piece of ricocheting rock or they could step on a rock that had fell causing injury. Someone using the pull-up bars could easily be hit by a falling rock or a falling rock could cause him or her to slip and fall. Rocks that make it to the surface of the track could gradually wear away the surface of the track, which track runners use to compete. Overtime as the slope erodes, more clay and dirty my make its way down to the surface of the track and walking area. Obtaining Data: I obtained my data using the Google Earth application. I was able to determine the coordinates of the slope as well as its elevation. I used NOAA to find the magnetic declination of the site and I was able to put it on a location map. I took pictures of the slope itself and any pieces of evidence to support the potential problems. Evidence: In the photos of the slope, the distance between the slope and the track and pull-up bars can be taken into account. Also, I took pictures of rock pills near the slope which suggest that there had been rock fall activity. In one picture, a green cable box is surrounded by rocks and clay, which shows that rocks had feel onto the box. The box seems to be angled which might have been an effect of the falling rocks. In some of the pictures, spots of erosion can be noticed becase caly formations have taken place probably due to weathering.
~6’ 10�
Figure 1. Photo of the tallest side of the slope. The Cat machine is displayed in the photo for scale purposes. (Gant 2011)
Figure 2. Several pieces of rocks at the bottom of the slope where most likely due to rock fall activity. (Gant 2011)
Figure 3. Several pieces of rocks at the bottom of the slope where most likely due to rock fall activity. (Gant 2011)
Figure 4. In this photo, you can see the relative distance of the slope from the edge of the track and pull-up bars. The cement area will be an additional part of the track in red. (Gant 2011)