FROM CRACKMETERS TO UNRULY STREAMS AND UNSTABLE SLOPES: MEMORANDUM OF A YEARLONG SIP INTERN

While natural erosive processes such as rockfall, stream channel evolution, and landsides have formed many majestic public lands, they can also impact safety, threaten cultural resources, and impede public access. As a Geomorphology Assistant at the U.S. National Park Service supporting the Geologic Resources Division, I am contributing to a better understanding of these natural yet destructive processes. Projects include rockfall data management for several parks as well as technical assistance analyzing an unruly fluvial system in Pu’uhonua o Honaunau National Historic Park, Hawai’i (PUHO) and rating unstable slopes in the Delaware Water Gap, Pennsylvania (DEWA). To facilitate rockfall hazard mitigation, I am writing a script in R software to store and visualize rock fracture data recorded by crackmeters. These instruments are installed in Chaco Culture National Historical Park, Dinosaur National Monument, Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park, and Zion National Park. Crackmeters record factors which may portend rock failure, thus increasing understanding of fracture behavior in a variety of environments and helping inform park safety and management decisions. At PUHO we conducted a geomorphic and hydrologic evaluation of cultural areas experiencing destructive flooding from the ephemeral Ki’ilae Stream. We completed a standard water profile analysis and determined several flood mitigation strategies including low-water crossings, channel diversions, and point treatments. If left unmitigated, the insipient stream channel through the park will continue to damage cultural resources and erode the landscape. Technical assistance for DEWA landslide issues involves remote sensing techniques to determine unstable slopes. We will field check these slopes in an effort supporting the Unstable Slope Management Program (USMP). The USMP is a risk and hazard assessment tool for rockfall and landslides to improve mitigation strategies along transportation corridors. Throughout this SIP term working on diverse projects, I am learning geological and analytical techniques to assist parks with natural hazard prevention and mitigation as well as improving upon my existing data and geospatial skills.