Mort C. Larsen
Landslide Hazards Program Manager
Geologic hazards, hillslope processes, engineering geology, neotectonics, geomorphology, structural geology, lidar, and photogrammetry
Education and/or Training
Ph.D. Candidate, 2009-2014, Montana State University
M.S. Geology, 2006, Humboldt State University
B.S. Geology, 2001, University of Montana
Professional Geologist No. PG-3950, Wyoming
Projects and/or Research Interests
Mort manages the State of Alaska Division of Geological & Geophysical Surveys Landslide Hazards Program responsible for mapping and assessing landslides throughout Alaska. Mort's role as the manager is dedicated to understanding and quantifying landslide hazards and improving geologic hazard communication and coordination with other agencies and communities.
Mort's present research interests involve an integration of geomorphic processes, Quaternary stratigraphy, engineering geology, and remote sensing to assess and characterize landslide attributes and evolution.
Professional Experience
Senior Engineering Geologist (2015-2022), Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities, Southcoast Region
Project Geologist (2013-2015), Geologic Hazards/Mapping, Wyoming State Geological Survey
Project Geologist (2010-2013), Romios Gold Resources/Ethos Geological
Geologist III (2006-2009), GeoEngineers
Project Geologist (2002-2006), SounPacific Environmental Service
Selected Publications
- Larsen, M.C., Nicolazzo, J.A., Stevens, D.S.P., and Janssen, K.A., 2024, Landslides in Alaska: Alaska Division of Geological & Geophysical Surveys Information Circular 65 v. 2, 2 p. https://doi.org/10.14509/31302
- Truskowski, C.M., Walser, S.L., Larsen, M.C., Nicolazzo, J.A., Gillis, R.J., Bull, K.F., Regan, S.P., Darrow, M.M., and Montayne, Simone, 2024, Field station locations and data for the geologic map of the Haines-Takshanuk Mountains-Chilkat Peninsula area STATEMAP project, southeast Alaska, collected in 2022 and 2023: Alaska Division of Geological & Geophysical Surveys Raw Data File 2024-17, 3 p. https://doi.org/10.14509/31285
- Ver Ploeg, A.J., Larsen, M.C., and Taboga, K.G., 2016, Characterization of evaporite karst features in the southern Laramie Basin, Wyoming: Wyoming State Geological Survey, Report of Investigations 70, 33 p.
- Larsen, M.C., LaForge, J.S., and Wittke, S.J., 2015, Surficial geologic map of the Afton 30' x 60' quadrangle, Sublette and Lincoln counties, Wyoming: Wyoming State Geological Survey, Open-File Report 15-9, 1 sheet, scale 1:100,000.
- Larsen, M.C., 2015, Wyoming's geologic hazards-Summary report: Wyoming State Geological Survey, Summary Report, 4 p.
- Prentice, C.S., Larsen, M., Kelsey, H., and Zachariasen, J., 2014, Late Holocene slip rate and ages of prehistoric earthquakes along the Maacama Fault near Willits, Mendocino County, northern California: Bulletin of the Seismological Society of America, v. 104, no. 6 , p. 2966-2984. https://doi.org/10.1785/0120140003
- Larsen, M.C., and Wittke, S.J., 2014, Relationships between injection and disposal well activities and known earthquakes in Wyoming, from 1984 to 2013: Wyoming State Geological Survey, 14-5, 11 p., 6 plates.
- Wittke, S.J., Flaherty, J.P., and Larsen, M.C., 2014, Surficial geologic map of the Chicken Spring area, Sweetwater County, Wyoming: Wyoming State Geological Survey, Open-File Report 14-4, 1 sheet, scale 1:24,000.
- Taboga, K.G., Bartos, T.T., Taucher, Paul, Hallberg, L.L., Clark, M.L., Stafford, James, Larsen, M.C., and Gracias, Tomas, 2014, Snake/Salt River Basin water plan update, groundwater study, level I (2011-2014) - Available groundwater determination: Wyoming State Geological Survey, Technical Memorandum 7, 407 p., 6 plates.
- Larsen, M.C., and Wittke, S.J., 2013, Preliminary map of landslides in Wyoming: Wyoming State Geological Survey, scale 1:1,000,000.
- Larsen, M.C., and Wittke, S.J., 2013, Preliminary map of potential expansive soils in Wyoming: Wyoming State Geological Survey, scale 1:1,000,000.
- Larsen, M.C., and Wittke, S.J., 2013, Preliminary map of potential windblown deposits in Wyoming: Wyoming State Geological Survey, scale 1:1,000,000.
- Larsen, M.C., and Wittke, S.J., 2013, Quaternary faults and folds in Wyoming: Wyoming State Geological Survey, scale 1:1,000,000.
- Lageson, D.R., Larsen, M.C., Lynn, H.B., and Treadway, W.A., 2012, Applications of Google Earth Pro to fracture and fault studies of Laramide anticlines in the Rocky Mountain foreland, in Whitmeyer, S.J., Bailey, J.E., De Paor, D.G., and Ornduff, T., eds., Google Earth and virtual visualizations in geoscience education and research: Geological Society of America, Special Paper 492, p. 1-12, doi:10.1130/2012.2492 (15).
- Larsen, M.C., and Lageson, D.R., 2011, Geologic map of the Upper Teepee Basin, Gallatin County, Montana, scale 1:24,000.
- Larsen, M.C., and Lageson, D.R., 2010, Geologic map of the Hebgen Dam Quadrangle, Gallatin County, Montana, scale 1:24,000.
- Larsen, M.C., and Lageson, D.R., 2010, Geologic map of the Mount Hebgen Quadrangle, Gallatin County, Montana, scale 1:24,000.
- Larsen, M., 2006, Late Holocene slip rate investigation of the Maacama fault at the Haehl Creek Site, Willits, California: Arcata, California, Humboldt State University, M.S. thesis, 48 pp., 12 plates.
- Larsen, M., and Kelsey, H., 2005, Geologic map of the Elledge Peak Quadrangle, Mendocino County, California, scale 1:24,000.
- Larsen, M., and Kelsey, H., 2005, Geologic map of the Hopland Quadrangle, Mendocino County, California, scale 1:24,000.
- Larsen, M., and Kelsey, H., 2005, Geologic map of the Purdys Garden Quadrangle, Mendocino County, California, scale 1:24,000.
- Larsen, M., and Kelsey, H., 2005, Geologic map of the Redwood Valley Quadrangle, Mendocino County, California, scale 1:24,000.
- Larsen, M., and Kelsey, H., 2005, Geologic map of the Ukiah Quadrangle, Mendocino County, California, scale 1:24,000.
Selected Presentations
- Nicolazzo, J.A., and Larsen, M.C., 2024, Lidar interpretation in Haines, Alaska (poster): Haines Borough community meeting, September 4, 2024: Alaska Division of Geological & Geophysical Surveys, 1 sheet. https://doi.org/10.14509/31414
