G202                                                               Name___________________________________

Due: January 25 or 26 depending on your lecture day

Read the essay “Los Angeles against the Mountain” in John McPhee’s book The Control of Nature.  There are 7 copies of this book on reserve (1 week check out) in the library or you can buy the book for $11 from the book store.  After reading the essay, respond to the following.

1)  What methods have been used to help control debris flow problems in the mountains around LA and how effective are they?

2)  What are the factors that contribute to debris flows in this area?  (be thorough in your answer)

3)  How are summer fires and debris flows related.   Explain the process that causes this relationship.

4)  What role does the San Andreas fault system play in this story?

In 2005 a landslide occurred in the city of La Conchita.  Go to the web page http://pubs.usgs.gov/of/2005/1067/508of05-1067.html   and read over the information on this web page. 

Compare and contrast the mass wasting events you have read about for this assignment.  Explain how they different/similar.  What factors have influenced each mass wasting event, what are the future prospects for people living in these areas, and what are some possible remediation efforts (if any) that can be implemented to alleviate mass wasting in each.  Finally, based on what you have read and what you know, comment on societies determination to live in such areas (i.e. why do people live in these areas….think this one through)