Images

NATIONAL LANDSLIDE SUSCEPTIBILITY MAP

POSTFIRE DEBRIS FLOW SCIENCE

The U.S. Geological Survey helps local, state, and federal agencies assess debris flow hazards in recently burned areas. We provide information about the likelihood of debris flow activity, where they might happen, and how big they might be.

DEBRIS FLOW ASSESSMENTS

LANDSLIDE SAFETY

If your home or property was damaged by a landslide from Hurricane Helene, be aware of the warning signs of future landslide activity

WATCH FOR WARNING SIGNS

Signs a landslide may be moving include:

(a) Photograph of instruments being tested in the East portion of the underground vault. (b) Wench and location of three boreholes in the West portion of the underground vault. (c) Cross-tunnel and recording equipment for the reference sensor vault.

Arial view from the North of the Albuquerque Seismological Laboratory on the Kirtland Air Force Base about 15 miles southeast of Albuquerque, New Mexico.

Locations of the Global Seismographic Network (GSN) stations. USGS GSN sites are shown as pink circles and IRIS/IDA stations are shown as green circles. (as of October 2024)

Coordinates of photographer: Latitude: 35° 44’ 16.08” N Longitude: 82° 8’ 20.04” W

Date: 10/17/24

Caption: Damage caused by a large mudflow in Buck Creek near Marion, NC.

Taken during Hurricane Helene LASER response

Coordinates of photographer: Latitude: 35° 33’ 21.75” N, Longitude: 82° 19’ 0.9” W

Date: 10/17/24

Caption: Damage caused by mudflows into Flat Creek near the Garren Creek Fire Station. Some of the initiating landslides are visible in the distance, upper left of photo.

Taken during Hurricane Helene LASER response 

Coordinates of photographer: Latitude: 35° 27’ 42.48” N Longitude: 82° 16’ 57.75” W

Date: 10/13/24

Caption: Multiple landslides and mudflows in Bat Cave, NC

Taken during Hurricane Helene LASER response 

Coordinates of photographer: Latitude: 36° 19’ 56.508” N Longitude: 81° 44’ 56.148” W

Date: 10/13/24

Caption: Landslide and flood damage near Zionville, NC.

Taken during Hurricane Helene LASER response

Coordinates of photographer: Latitude: 36° 15’ 31.74” N Longitude: 81° 44’ 32.952” W

Date 10/13/24

Caption: A landslide near Vilas, NC. 

Taken as part of Hurricane Helene LASER response 

The Landslide Observation Dashboard, a multi-agency effort to map where landslides have occurred in the southern Appalachian Mountains, launched September 30, 2024, as a “timely best science” provisional interface that can be used by the general public and local authorities as they prioritize resources. 

U.S. Geological Survey landslide experts conduct an aerial reconnaissance flight October 3, 2024, over the southern Appalachian Mountains to get a better understanding of the extent and severity of landslide impacts in the wake of Hurricane Helene, which brought widespread flooding and destruction. (USGS photo by Ben Mirus). 

Relative landslide hazard from Hurricane Helene. Dark purple shows locations expected to have experienced the highest landslide occurrence. Map based on cumulative precipitation estimate (NWS Greenville-Spartanburg from 9/24-9/28) and the USGS Landslide Susceptibility Map. 

A map of the United States including Hawaii, Alaska, and Puerto Rico shows landslide susceptibility from yellow (low) to red (high), where the areas without shading represent negligible potential for landslides.

¿Dónde Ocurren los Deslizamientos de Tierra?

(Mapa Nacional de Susceptibilidad a Deslizamientos de Tierra, 2024)

Landslide source area and upper portion of the landslide runout. The upper reaches of the landslide source material of the 2024 Pedersen Lagoon landslide in Alaska.

Lower portion of the landslide runout along the Pedersen Glacier from the 2024 Pedersen Lagoon landslide in Alaska.

Tsunami damage between the upper and lower portions of the lagoon from the landslide-generated tsunami from the 2024 Pedersen Lagoon landslide in Alaska.  It moved toward the east at the western shore and uplands of the landform between the lagoons. 

Intern giving poster presentation with equipment on display at 2024 GHSC Intern Research Symposium 

Intern giving oral presentation with slides at 2024 GHSC Intern Research Symposium