Each year landslides cause 25-50 deaths and on the average $3.5 billion in damage in the United States. Many of these landslides occur in urban settings. Figuring out what caused these landslides and also how to prevent them in urban settings can be a challenge to forensic engineering geologists and geotechnical engineers. The talk will focus on lessons learned from case histories in urban settings, focusing on homes hit by landslides, homes that moved down the slope on landslides, reactivation of ancient landslides, triggers such as precipitation and earthquakes, and vacant lots. Development of susceptibility maps, especially using LiDAR imagery, will be included. Different mitigation methods including different types of dewatering devices, walls, and freezing of the soil will be mentioned. In importance of lack of insurance for landslides on normal homeowner policies has great significance.

Background
The Jahns lectureship, established in 1988, is sponsored by the Association of Environmental and Engineering Geologists and the Geological Society of America-Engineering Geology Division. Its purpose is to provide funding for distinguished engineering geologists to present lectures at colleges and universities in order to increase awareness of students about careers in engineering geology. The lectureship is named in honor of Dr. Richard H. Jahns (1915-1983), an engineering geologist who had a diverse and distinguished career in academia, consulting and government.

The 2012 Jahns Lecturer
Dr. Scott Burns has been named the 2011-2012 Richard H. Jahns Distinguished Lecturer in Engineering Geology. Scott is a Professor of Geology at Portland State University (PSU) where he specializes in environmental and engineering geology, soils, geomorphology, Quaternary Geology and terroir. He just finished his 21st year of teaching there and his 41st year of teaching at the university level (previous positions in Switzerland, New Zealand, Washington, Colorado and Louisiana).

An author or co-author of two books, over 80 articles, and over 200 published abstracts, Scott has worked on research topics as diverse as landslide, debris flow, radon and earthquake hazard mapping, heavy metals and trace elements in soils, loess stratigraphy, slope stability, Missoula Floods, bio-geomorphology (pocket gophers, tree throw, and ants), alpine soil development, and terroir (relationship of geology, soils, climate and wine).

He was president of AEG (2002-2003) and vice president (North America) for IAEG (2006- 2010). He has received the the Public Service Award from GSA in 2011 and the Meritorious Service Award (2006) from the Engineering Geology Division (EGD) of Geological Society of America. He has been the Chair of the Engineering Geology Division and the Treasurer of the Quaternary Geology and Geomorphology Division (for 12 years) of GSA. Scott has been an Associate Dean, chair of departments and president of faculty senates at three different universities, and president of one of the largest and oldest Rotary clubs in the world. Scott has won many awards for outstanding teaching with the most significant being the Faculty Senate Chair Award at Louisiana Tech University in 1987, the Distinguished Faculty Award from the PSU Alumni Association in 2001, and the George Hoffmann Award from PSU in 2007. He actively helps local TV and radio stations and newspapers bring important geological news to the public.

He has B.S. and M.S. degrees from Stanford University, plus a Ph.D. from the University of Colorado. Scott holds registrations in Oregon (RG and CEG) and a license in Washington (LG). Scott also is a consultant and an expert witness for law cases.