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Size distributions and failure initiation of submarine and subaerial landslides Size distributions and failure initiation of submarine and subaerial landslides

Landslides are often viewed together with other natural hazards, such as earthquakes and fires, as phenomena whose size distribution obeys an inverse power law. Inverse power law distributions are the result of additive avalanche processes, in which the final size cannot be predicted at the onset of the disturbance. Volume and area distributions of submarine landslides along the U.S...
Authors
Uri S. ten Brink, R. Barkan, B.D. Andrews, J.D. Chaytor

Elements of an improved model of debris-flow motion Elements of an improved model of debris-flow motion

A new depth-averaged model of debris-flow motion describes simultaneous evolution of flow velocity and depth, solid and fluid volume fractions, and pore-fluid pressure. Non-hydrostatic pore-fluid pressure is produced by dilatancy, a state-dependent property that links the depth-averaged shear rate and volumetric strain rate of the granular phase. Pore-pressure changes caused by shearing...
Authors
R.M. Iverson

Interpretation of earthquake-induced landslides triggered by the 12 May 2008, M7.9 Wenchuan earthquake in the Beichuan area, Sichuan Province, China using satellite imagery and Google Earth Interpretation of earthquake-induced landslides triggered by the 12 May 2008, M7.9 Wenchuan earthquake in the Beichuan area, Sichuan Province, China using satellite imagery and Google Earth

The 12 May 2008 M7.9 Wenchuan earthquake in the People's Republic of China represented a unique opportunity for the international community to use commonly available GIS (Geographic Information System) tools, like Google Earth (GE), to rapidly evaluate and assess landslide hazards triggered by the destructive earthquake and its aftershocks. In order to map earthquake-triggered landslides...
Authors
H.P. Sato, E. L. Harp

Hydrodynamic modeling of tsunamis from the Currituck landslide Hydrodynamic modeling of tsunamis from the Currituck landslide

Tsunami generation from the Currituck landslide offshore North Carolina and propagation of waves toward the U.S. coastline are modeled based on recent geotechnical analysis of slide movement. A long and intermediate wave modeling package (COULWAVE) based on the non-linear Boussinesq equations are used to simulate the tsunami. This model includes procedures to incorporate bottom friction...
Authors
E.L. Geist, P.J. Lynett, J.D. Chaytor

Preliminary investigation of some large landslides triggered by the 2008 Wenchuan earthquake, Sichuan Province, China Preliminary investigation of some large landslides triggered by the 2008 Wenchuan earthquake, Sichuan Province, China

The M s 8.0 Wenchuan earthquake or "Great Sichuan Earthquake" occurred at 14:28 p.m. local time on 12 May 2008 in Sichuan Province, China. Damage by earthquake-induced landslides was an important part of the total earthquake damage. This report presents preliminary observations on the Hongyan Resort slide located southwest of the main epicenter, shallow mountain surface failures in...
Authors
F. Wang, Q. Cheng, L. Highland, M. Miyajima, Hongfang Wang, C. Yan

On the reported magnetic precursor of the 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake On the reported magnetic precursor of the 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake

Among the most frequently cited reports in the science of earthquake prediction is that by Fraser-Smith et al. (1990) and Bernardi et al. (1991). They found anomalous enhancement of magnetic-field noise levels prior to the 18 October 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake in the ultra-low-frequency range (0.0110-10.001 Hz) from a ground-based sensor at Corralitos, CA, just 7 km from the earthquake...
Authors
J.N. Thomas, J.J. Love, M.J.S. Johnston

In situ measurements of contributions to the global electrical circuit by a thunderstorm in southeastern Brazil In situ measurements of contributions to the global electrical circuit by a thunderstorm in southeastern Brazil

The global electrical circuit, which maintains a potential of about 280??kV between the earth and the ionosphere, is thought to be driven mainly by thunderstorms and lightning. However, very few in situ measurements of electrical current above thunderstorms have been successfully obtained. In this paper, we present dc to very low frequency electric fields and atmospheric conductivity...
Authors
J.N. Thomas, R.H. Holzworth, M.P. McCarthy

Size distribution of submarine landslides along the U.S. Atlantic margin Size distribution of submarine landslides along the U.S. Atlantic margin

Assessment of the probability for destructive landslide-generated tsunamis depends on the knowledge of the number, size, and frequency of large submarine landslides. This paper investigates the size distribution of submarine landslides along the U.S. Atlantic continental slope and rise using the size of the landslide source regions (landslide failure scars). Landslide scars along the...
Authors
J.D. Chaytor, Uri S. ten Brink, A.R. Solow, B.D. Andrews

The increasing wildfire and post-fire debris-flow threat in western USA, and implications for consequences of climate change The increasing wildfire and post-fire debris-flow threat in western USA, and implications for consequences of climate change

In southern California and the intermountain west of the USA, debris flows generated from recently-burned basins pose significant hazards. Increases in the frequency and size of wildfires throughout the western USA can be attributed to increases in the number of fire ignitions, fire suppression practices, and climatic influences. Increased urbanization throughout the western USA...
Authors
Susan H. Cannon, Jerry DeGraff

Developing framework to constrain the geometry of the seismic rupture plane on subduction interfaces a priori - A probabilistic approach Developing framework to constrain the geometry of the seismic rupture plane on subduction interfaces a priori - A probabilistic approach

A key step in many earthquake source inversions requires knowledge of the geometry of the fault surface on which the earthquake occurred. Our knowledge of this surface is often uncertain, however, and as a result fault geometry misinterpretation can map into significant error in the final temporal and spatial slip patterns of these inversions. Relying solely on an initial hypocentre and...
Authors
G.P. Hayes, D.J. Wald

Geomagnetic observations on tristan da cunha, south atlantic ocean Geomagnetic observations on tristan da cunha, south atlantic ocean

Few geomagnetic ground observations exist of the Earth's strongest core field anomaly, the South Atlantic Anomaly (SAA). The geomagnetic repeat station on the island Tristan da Cunha, located half-way between South Africa and South America at 37?? 05' S, 12?? 18' W, is therefore of crucial importance. We have conducted several sets of repeat station measurements during magnetically quiet
Authors
J. Matzka, N. Olsen, C.F. Maule, L.W. Pedersen, A.M. Berarducci, S. Macmillan
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