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NOAA-USGS Debris-Flow Warning System - Final Report NOAA-USGS Debris-Flow Warning System - Final Report

Landslides and debris flows cause loss of life and millions of dollars in property damage annually in the United States (National Research Council, 2004). In an effort to reduce loss of life by debris flows, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's (NOAA) National Weather Service (NWS) and the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) operated an experimental debris-flow prediction and...
Authors

Regional landslide-hazard assessment for Seattle, Washington, USA Regional landslide-hazard assessment for Seattle, Washington, USA

Landslides are a widespread, frequent, and costly hazard in Seattle and the Puget Sound area of Washington State, USA. Shallow earth slides triggered by heavy rainfall are the most common type of landslide in the area; many transform into debris flows and cause significant property damage or disrupt transportation. Large rotational and translational slides, though less common, also cause...
Authors
R.L. Baum, J. A. Coe, J. W. Godt, E. L. Harp, M.E. Reid, W. Z. Savage, W.H. Schulz, D.L. Brien, A.F. Chleborad, J.P. McKenna, J. A. Michael

Geology and tsunamigenic potential of submarine landslides in Santa Barbara Channel, Southern California Geology and tsunamigenic potential of submarine landslides in Santa Barbara Channel, Southern California

A large submarine landslide complex and four small landslides developed under the Santa Barbara Channel, suggesting a potential hazard from landslide-generated tsunamis. We integrate offshore stratigraphy and geologic structure, multibeam bathymetric information, and several kinds of seismic-reflection data to understand how and when the submarine landslides formed. Seismic-reflection...
Authors
M. A. Fisher, W. R. Normark, H. Gary Greene, H.J. Lee, R. W. Sliter

Wagon loads of sand blows in White County, Illinois Wagon loads of sand blows in White County, Illinois

Several anecdotal accounts provide compelling evidence that liquefaction occurred at several sites in Illinois during the 1811-1812 New Madrid sequence, as much as 250 km north of the New Madrid seismic zone (NMSZ). At one Wabash Valley location, sand blows are still evident near Big Prairie, Illinois, a location described in a particularly detailed and precise historic account. This...
Authors
Susan E. Hough, Roger Bilham, Karl Mueller, William Stephenson, Robert Williams, Jack Odum

Regulation of landslide motion by dilatancy and pore pressure feedback Regulation of landslide motion by dilatancy and pore pressure feedback

A new mathematical model clarifies how diverse styles and rates of landslide motion can result from regulation of Coulomb friction by dilation or contraction of water‐saturated basal shear zones. Normalization of the model equations shows that feedback due to coupling between landslide motion, shear zone volume change, and pore pressure change depends on a single dimensionless parameter...
Authors
R.M. Iverson

Landslide hazards: A national threat Landslide hazards: A national threat

Landslides occur and can cause damage in all 50 States. Severe storms, earthquakes, volcanic activity, coastal wave attack, and wildfires can cause widespread slope instability. Landslide danger may be high even as emergency personnel are providing rescue and recovery services. To address landslide hazards, several questions must be considered: Where and when will landslides occur? How...
Authors
Water Resources Division U.S. Geological Survey
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