Investigation into the Swan Range, Columbia Mountain landslide area was undertaken by L. N. Smith for a number of reasons. The area has undergone a large bedrock failure landslide which has left a potentially unstable slab above the existing scarp. Due to urban development at this site, Smith's intensions are to research the timing of emplacement and the possible future risks to the area. These risks of future failure are investigated through past and present triggering mechanisms in the area.
             Presumed glacial and post-glacial processes on the area are heavily relied on as the cause of the Columbia Mountain landslide. Due to the lack of documentation and factual evidence of this type of landslide, the dating of emplacement can only be approximated. Glacial erosion and deposition in the area has also caused the elimination of important faulting evidence. Also in terms of possible triggering mechanisms, seismic anomalies are rarely recorded in this area.
             The Columbia Mountain landslide is well recognized and been under investigation by many researchers. From this, Smith has gathered important information about the slide and the surrounding are needed for the basis of his research. Characteristics include: location, area, initial and resting positions, trend, thickness, composition, formations, faults/joints, strike/dip, shape, and erosion features etc. Documented glacial movement, behaviour and dating from northern areas south through the Swan Range project area have also been incorporated as data. Also the use of air photos, contour maps, well logs, diagrams, hands-on field work and sampling were used as data. Paralleling his research questions, Smith continues to use/compare examples of landslides which occurred at different locations. This seems to help with identifying and applying the behavioural characteristics of landslides to his research.
             I think Smith has done adequate background and site data collection in all ar...