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Landslide-induced flooding at Ophir Creek, Washoe County, western Nevada, May 30, 1983 Landslide-induced flooding at Ophir Creek, Washoe County, western Nevada, May 30, 1983

Rapid spilling of 22 acre-feet of water down the steep, 3-mile channel of Ophir Creek killed one, injured four, and destroyed or damaged five houses. Flow evolved into debris flow enroute, and compounded in volume over 30 times.
Authors
Patrick A. Glancy, John W. Bell

Landslide triggering by rain infiltration Landslide triggering by rain infiltration

Landsliding in response to rainfall involves physical processes that operate on disparate timescales. Relationships between these timescales guide development of a mathematical model that uses reduced forms of Richards equation to evaluate effects of rainfall infiltration on landslide occurrence, timing, depth, and acceleration in diverse situations. The longest pertinent timescale is A...
Authors
Richard M. Iverson

Assessment of landslide hazards in Kaluanui and Maakua gulches, Oahu, Hawaii, following the 9 May 1999 Sacred Falls landslide Assessment of landslide hazards in Kaluanui and Maakua gulches, Oahu, Hawaii, following the 9 May 1999 Sacred Falls landslide

One of the injured hikers later died of injuries received in the landslide. Governor Ben Cayetano of Hawaii ordered that the park be closed due to concern about continuing landslide hazard near the falls. Subsequently, Bill Meyer, District Chief for the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Water Resources Division in Honolulu contacted Tim Johns, Chair of the Board of Land and Natural Resources...
Authors
R.W. Jibson, R.L. Baum

Evaluation of landslide hazards with ground-penetrating radar, Lake Michigan coast Evaluation of landslide hazards with ground-penetrating radar, Lake Michigan coast

Ground-penetrating radar (GPR) and boreholes were used to investigate a landslide-prone bluff at Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore on the northeastern coast of Lake Michigan. Based on borehole observations, sediment underlying the area is homogeneous, consisting of well-sorted, medium to coarse sand. GPR penetrated up to 20 m deep in these sediments, revealing the late Quaternary...
Authors
Walter A. Barnhardt, Bruce E. Jaffe, Robert Kayen

Real-Time Monitoring of Active Landslides Real-Time Monitoring of Active Landslides

Landslides threaten lives and property in every State in the Nation. To reduce the risk from active landslides, the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) develops and uses real-time landslide monitoring systems. Monitoring can detect early indications of rapid, catastrophic movement. Up-to-the-minute or real-time monitoring provides immediate notification of landslide activity, potentially...
Authors
Mark E. Reid, Richard G. LaHusen, William L. Ellis

Relationships between peak ground acceleration, peak ground velocity, and Modified Mercalli Intensity in California Relationships between peak ground acceleration, peak ground velocity, and Modified Mercalli Intensity in California

We have developed regression relationships between Modified Mercalli Intensity (Imm) and peak ground acceleration (PGA) and velocity (PGV) by comparing horizontal peak ground motions to observed intensities for eight significant California earthquakes. For the limited range of Modified Mercalli intensities (Imm), we find that for peak acceleration with V ≤ Imm ≤ VIII, Imm = 3.66 log(PGA)...
Authors
David J. Wald, Vincent Quitoriano, Thomas H. Heaton, Hiroo Kanamori

Debris-flow origin for the Simud/Tiu deposit on Mars Debris-flow origin for the Simud/Tiu deposit on Mars

A late Hesperian smooth plains deposit on Mars interpreted as a debris flow extends more than 2000 km from Hydraotes Chaos, through Simud and Tiu Valles, and into Chryse Planitia. The Simud/Tiu deposit widens out to >1000 km and embays streamlined landforms and knobs made up of sedimentary and perhaps volcanic deposits that were carved by earlier channeling activity. Morphologic features...
Authors
K. L. Tanaka

How useful is landslide hazard information? Lessons learned in the San Francisco Bay region How useful is landslide hazard information? Lessons learned in the San Francisco Bay region

Landslides, worldwide and in the United States, are arguably the most costly natural hazard. Substantial landslide information is available, but much of it remains underutilized, as a disconnect exists among geologists, decision makers, and the public. The lack of a national landslide insurance policy exacerbates this situation and promotes litigation as the principal recourse for...
Authors
D. G. Howell, D.W. Ramsey, E. E. Brabb
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