Simultaneous measurements of seismically induced pore-water pressure changes and surface and subsurface accelerations at a site undergoing liquefaction caused by the Superstition Hills, California, earthquake (24 November 1987; M = 6.6) reveal that total pore pressures approached lithostatic conditions, but, unexpectedly, after most of the strong motion ceased. Excess pore pressures were generated once horizontal acceleration exceeded a threshold value.

Cone penetration test ͑CPT͒ soundings at historic liquefaction sites in California were used to evaluate the predictive capability of the liquefaction potential index ͑LPI͒, which was defined by Iwasaki et al. in 1978. LPI combines depth, thickness, and factor of safety of liquefiable material inferred from a CPT sounding into a single parameter. LPI data from the Monterey Bay region indicate that the probability of surface manifestations of liquefaction is 58 and 93%, respectively, when LPI equals or exceeds 5 and 15. LPI values also generally correlate with surface effects of liquefaction: Decreasing from a median of 12 for soundings in lateral spreads to 0 for soundings where no surface effects were reported. The index is particularly promising for probabilistic liquefaction hazard mapping where it may be a useful parameter for characterizing the liquefaction potential of geologic units.

Ground failures, ranging from long tension cracks or fissures to surface faults, are caused by man-induced water-level declines in more than 14 areas in the contiguous United States. These failures are associated with land subsidence caused by compaction of underlying unconsolidated sediment. Fissures, which range in length from dekameters to kilometers, typically open only a few centimeters by displacement but are eroded by surface runoff into gullies 1 to 2 m wide and 2 to 3 m deep. Surface faults commonly attain scarp heights of 0.5 m and lengths of 1 km; the highest and longest scarps are 1 m and 16.7 km, respectively. Scarps grow by aseismic creep at rates approximately ranging from 4 to 60 mm/yr; modern fault movement is high angle and normal. Fault movement commonly correlates with seasonal water-level fluctuations, and examples of seasonal water-level recoveries halting fault movement have been reported. The greatest economic impact from ground failure is in the Houston-Galveston, Texas, metropolitan region where more than 86 surface faults have caused millions of dollars of damage and losses of property value. Most ground failures probably are caused by localized differential compaction, although this mechanism has not been demonstrated everywhere. Earth fissures formed by this mechanism are caused by stretching related to bending of the overburden that overlies the differentially compacting zone. Surface faults form when differential compaction is discrete across preexisting faults. Fissures that form complex polygonal patterns probably are caused by tension induced by capillary stresses in the zone above a declining water table. Ground failures can be predicted either by determining potential areas of differential compaction or by monitoring surface deformation in areas of ongoing water-level decline. Potential ground-failure sites can be resolved by either technique to within a few dekameters.

provides this and other forums for the presentation of diverse opinions and positions by scientists worldwide, regardless of their race, citizenship, gender, religion, or political viewpoint. Opinions presented in this publication do not reflect official positions of the Society. nently decreased by withdrawal of underground fl uids (National Research Council, 1991). This paper reviews the mechanism of land subsidence, its occurrence and history, impacts, and efforts by society to control this phenomenon in the United States. It also speculates about potential long-term consequences and the legacy of subsidence for future generations.

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