Cenozoic fracture systems in western North Carolina and their contribution to large, slow-moving, deep-seated landslides

Recent studies have shown that multiple fracture systems occur across western North Carolina that are associated with linear topographic lows, such as the Swannanoa Lineament that contains the I-40 corridor from Swannanoa through Asheville. Earthquakes have occurred on several of these lineaments suggesting they are seismically active. Multiple large, slow-moving landslides have been identified within these lineaments. This study will test the hypothesis that bedrock fractures within Cenozoic aged lineaments across western North Carolina are planes of weaknesses that contribute to these large, slow-moving landslides. This study will combine geologic mapping in the field and from high-resolution LiDAR data with kinematic slope stability analyses and topographic studies. This work will (1) constrain the bedrock structures that act as failure planes, (2) relate these structures to the lineament fracture systems, and (3) characterize the topographic evolution that resulted from these fracture systems that may influence the stability of slopes. Understanding the dynamics of these large, slow-moving landslides will enable the North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) to develop efficient practices to mitigate damage to infrastructure.

Language

• English

Project

• Status: Active
• Funding: $105,444.00
• Contract Numbers:

  RP2026-10

• Sponsor Organizations:

  North Carolina Department of Transportation

  Research and Development
  1549 Mail Service Center
  Raleigh, NC  United States  27699-1549
• Managing Organizations:

  North Carolina Department of Transportation

  Research and Development
  1549 Mail Service Center
  Raleigh, NC  United States  27699-1549
• Project Managers:

  Kadibhai, Mustansir

• Performing Organizations:

  Unive of North Carolina at Asheville

  One University Heights
  Asheville, NC  United States  28804
• Principal Investigators:

  Langille, Jackie

• Start Date: 20250801
• Expected Completion Date: 20270731
• Actual Completion Date: 0
• USDOT Program: Geotechnical and Hydraulics

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Geotechnical engineering; Landslides; Laser radar; Rock fracture; Slope stability; Topography
• Geographic Terms: North Carolina
• Subject Areas: Geotechnology; Highways; Planning and Forecasting;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01957960
• Record Type: Research project
• Source Agency: North Carolina Department of Transportation
• Contract Numbers: RP2026-10
• Files: RIP, STATEDOT
• Created Date: Jun 13 2025 12:08PM