Analysis and Risk Estimation of High Priority Unstable Rock Slopes in Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Tennessee and North Carolina

• Main Author: Farmer, Samantha
• Format: Others
• Language: English
• Published: Digital Commons @ East Tennessee State University 2021
• Subjects: Geospatial Analysis; Ordinary Kriging; Rockfall; Susceptibility Model; Co-Kriging; QRA; Geology; Other Earth Sciences
• Online Access: https://dc.etsu.edu/etd/3953; https://dc.etsu.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=5462&context=etd

Great Smoky Mountains National Park (GRSM) received 12.5 million visitors in 2020. With a high traffic volume, it is imperative roadways remain open and free from obstruction. Annual unanticipated rockfall events in GRSM often obstruct traffic flow. Using the Unstable Slope Management Program for Federal Land Management Agencies (USMP for FLMA) protocols, this study analyzes high priority unstable rock slopes through 1) creation of an unstable slope geodatabase and 2) generation of a final rockfall risk model using Co-Kriging from a preliminary risk model and susceptibility model. A secondary goal of this study is to provide risk estimation for the three most traveled transportation corridors within GRSM, as well as investigate current rockfall hazard warning sign location to ultimately improve visitor safety with regards to rockfall hazards.