A postfire debris-flow deposit in Rubio Canyon, in the Eaton Fire burn area Los Angeles, County, California. Debris flows were triggered by intense rain on the recently burned hillslopes. Mud- to boulder-sized sediment was deposited by the debris flow in this image. The flow also damaged trees near and within the channel where the flow traveled.
Multimedia
Browse our photos and videos of landslide research and post-landslide investigations.
Images
Debris flow in the 2025 Eaton Fire burn area, California
A postfire debris-flow deposit in Rubio Canyon, in the Eaton Fire burn area Los Angeles, County, California. Debris flows were triggered by intense rain on the recently burned hillslopes. Mud- to boulder-sized sediment was deposited by the debris flow in this image. The flow also damaged trees near and within the channel where the flow traveled.
Soil property measurements in the Eaton Fire burn area, Angeles National Forest, California
Soil property measurements in the Eaton Fire burn area, Angeles National Forest, California. A scientist uses a Mini Disk infiltrometer to measure how fast water infiltrates the ground's surface in the 2025 Eaton Fire burn area. Infiltrometer measurements help determine soil burn severity.
Soil property measurements in the Eaton Fire burn area, Angeles National Forest, California. A scientist uses a Mini Disk infiltrometer to measure how fast water infiltrates the ground's surface in the 2025 Eaton Fire burn area. Infiltrometer measurements help determine soil burn severity.
A steep, burned hillside in the 2025 Eaton Fire, Los Angeles County, California.
A steep, burned hillside in the 2025 Eaton Fire, Los Angeles County, California. The hillside is located near the northwestern edge of the burn perimeter, just off of Sunset Ridge road. High winds while the fire burned and after it was contained has removed ash from the hillside.
A steep, burned hillside in the 2025 Eaton Fire, Los Angeles County, California. The hillside is located near the northwestern edge of the burn perimeter, just off of Sunset Ridge road. High winds while the fire burned and after it was contained has removed ash from the hillside.
Burned and unburned hillslopes, Eaton Fire, California
The boundary between burned and unburned terrain in the area burned by the 2025 Eaton Fire, Angeles National Forest, California. Fire has removed all of the vegetation in the area of the hillslope visible in the image foreground.
The boundary between burned and unburned terrain in the area burned by the 2025 Eaton Fire, Angeles National Forest, California. Fire has removed all of the vegetation in the area of the hillslope visible in the image foreground.
A steep, burned hillside in the 2025 Eaton Fire, Los Angeles County, California.
A steep, burned hillside in the 2025 Eaton Fire, Los Angeles County, California. The hillside is located near the northern edge of the burn perimeter off of Echo Mountain Low Fire Road. Unburned, vegetated terrain is visible in the image background. This photo was taken shortly after the Eaton Fire was contained.
A steep, burned hillside in the 2025 Eaton Fire, Los Angeles County, California. The hillside is located near the northern edge of the burn perimeter off of Echo Mountain Low Fire Road. Unburned, vegetated terrain is visible in the image background. This photo was taken shortly after the Eaton Fire was contained.
Dry ravel in the 2025 Eaton Fire burn area.
A detailed look at a hillslope within the Eaton Fire burn area showing sediment particles, visible in the foreground, moving downslope. Remnants of burned trees and other vegetation are also visible on the hillslope.
A detailed look at a hillslope within the Eaton Fire burn area showing sediment particles, visible in the foreground, moving downslope. Remnants of burned trees and other vegetation are also visible on the hillslope.
Videos
Geologic Controls on Deep-Seated Landslides
The frequency and scale of landslides in a region are determined by both external forcing and inherent, site-specific susceptibility.
The frequency and scale of landslides in a region are determined by both external forcing and inherent, site-specific susceptibility.
Understanding large rock slides in deglaciated valleys in the Central and Patagonian Andes
The effects of deglaciation on the slope stability of glacial valleys have increasing importance in the context of climate change, with a role on the susceptibility to large-volume rock slides or rock avalanches and catastrophic cascading geohazards.
The effects of deglaciation on the slope stability of glacial valleys have increasing importance in the context of climate change, with a role on the susceptibility to large-volume rock slides or rock avalanches and catastrophic cascading geohazards.
Controls on post-fire debris flows in Oregon
Wildfire often amplifies the likelihood and magnitude of debris flows in steep terrain. In arid climates (e.g. US Mountain West and Southwest), post-fire debris flows typically occur during the first rains following fire, suggesting that rainfall-driven erosion is a strong control on in-channel preconditioning and triggering of these hazards.
Wildfire often amplifies the likelihood and magnitude of debris flows in steep terrain. In arid climates (e.g. US Mountain West and Southwest), post-fire debris flows typically occur during the first rains following fire, suggesting that rainfall-driven erosion is a strong control on in-channel preconditioning and triggering of these hazards.
Atmospheric rivers cause the majority of precipitation-induced landslides in Western North America
linkAtmospheric rivers (ARs) are transient channels of intense horizontal water vapor transport in the lower atmosphere.
Atmospheric rivers cause the majority of precipitation-induced landslides in Western North America
linkAtmospheric rivers (ARs) are transient channels of intense horizontal water vapor transport in the lower atmosphere.
One Way to Develop a Geologic Hazards Program: Lessons Learned and Anecdotes
The development of a Geologic Hazards Program for the USDA Forest Service is a challenging undertaking.
The development of a Geologic Hazards Program for the USDA Forest Service is a challenging undertaking.
Forecasting and seismic detection of debris flows at Mount Rainier National Park
Debris flows occur as a result of glacial outburst floods or intense fall storms prior to snow accumulations and occur commonly at the glaciated Mount Rainier, WA. Over 60 such events have been documented since 1928, 35+ of which have occurred in Tahoma Creek on the southwest side of the park.
Debris flows occur as a result of glacial outburst floods or intense fall storms prior to snow accumulations and occur commonly at the glaciated Mount Rainier, WA. Over 60 such events have been documented since 1928, 35+ of which have occurred in Tahoma Creek on the southwest side of the park.