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Landslide Hazards Program

The primary objective of the National Landslide Hazards Program is to reduce long-term losses from landslide hazards by improving our understanding of the causes of ground failure and suggesting mitigation strategies.

News

New USGS map shows where landslides are most likely to occur in U.S.

New USGS map shows where landslides are most likely to occur in U.S.

Un nuevo mapa del USGS muestra dónde es más probable que ocurran deslizamientos de tierra en el país

Un nuevo mapa del USGS muestra dónde es más probable que ocurran deslizamientos de tierra en el país

USGS Firelight: PHIRE Edition - Vol. 2 | Issue 2

Publications

RegionGrow3D: A deterministic analysis for characterizing discrete three-dimensional landslide source areas on a regional scale

Regional-scale characterization of shallow landslide hazards is important for reducing their destructive impact on society. These hazards are commonly characterized by (a) their location and likelihood using susceptibility maps, (b) landslide size and frequency using geomorphic scaling laws, and (c) the magnitude of disturbance required to cause landslides using initiation thresholds. Typically, t
Authors
Nicolas Wahde Mathews, Ben Leshchinksy, Benjamin B. Mirus, Michael J. Olsen, Adam M. Booth

Debris-flow entrainment modelling under climate change: Considering antecedent moisture conditions along the flow path

Debris-flow volumes can increase along their flow path by entraining sediment stored in the channel bed and banks, thus also increasing hazard potential. Theoretical considerations, laboratory experiments and field investigations all indicate that the saturation conditions of the sediment along the flow path can greatly influence the amount of sediment entrained. However, this process is usually n
Authors
Anna Könz, Jacob Hirschberg, Brian McArdell, Benjamin B. Mirus, Tjalling de Haas, Perry Bartelt, Peter Molnar

Assessing locations susceptible to shallow landslide initiation during prolonged intense rainfall in the Lares, Utuado, and Naranjito municipalities of Puerto Rico

Hurricane Maria induced about 70 000 landslides throughout Puerto Rico, USA, including thousands each in three municipalities situated in Puerto Rico's rugged Cordillera Central range. By combining a nonlinear soil-depth model, presumed wettest-case pore pressures, and quasi-three-dimensional (3D) slope-stability analysis, we developed a landslide susceptibility map that has very good performance
Authors
Rex L. Baum, Dianne L. Brien, Mark E. Reid, William Schulz, Matthew J. Tello

Science

2024 Pedersen Lagoon Landslide-Generated Tsunami

A landslide produced a tsunami in Pedersen Lagoon, southwest of Seward, Alaska on Wednesday, August 7th, 2024, at approximately 04:55 AKDT / 12:55 UTC. Preliminary surveying indicates that the landslide generated a tsunami of 17 meters high (approx. 56 ft) or more in Upper Pedersen Lagoon, reducing to about one meter high (approx. 3 feet) in Lower Pedersen Lagoon. Runup heights reported here are...
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2024 Pedersen Lagoon Landslide-Generated Tsunami

A landslide produced a tsunami in Pedersen Lagoon, southwest of Seward, Alaska on Wednesday, August 7th, 2024, at approximately 04:55 AKDT / 12:55 UTC. Preliminary surveying indicates that the landslide generated a tsunami of 17 meters high (approx. 56 ft) or more in Upper Pedersen Lagoon, reducing to about one meter high (approx. 3 feet) in Lower Pedersen Lagoon. Runup heights reported here are...
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Landslide Basics

Landslides occur in all 50 states and territories and they affect lives, property, infrastructure, and the environment. Understanding when, where, and how landslides occur can help to reduce the risk of living with these natural hazards.
link

Landslide Basics

Landslides occur in all 50 states and territories and they affect lives, property, infrastructure, and the environment. Understanding when, where, and how landslides occur can help to reduce the risk of living with these natural hazards.
Learn More

Improving Postfire Debris-Flow Hazard Assessments In The Pacific Northwest Through Application Of Debris-Flow Models

As part of the Post-fire Hazards and Impacts to Resources and Ecosystems (PHIRE): Support for Response, Recovery, and Mitigation Project, the PHIRE Debris Flow Hazard team is engaging in several studies to better understand the spatial and temporal drivers of postfire debris flows and improve postfire hazard assessments across northern California and the Pacific Northwest.
link

Improving Postfire Debris-Flow Hazard Assessments In The Pacific Northwest Through Application Of Debris-Flow Models

As part of the Post-fire Hazards and Impacts to Resources and Ecosystems (PHIRE): Support for Response, Recovery, and Mitigation Project, the PHIRE Debris Flow Hazard team is engaging in several studies to better understand the spatial and temporal drivers of postfire debris flows and improve postfire hazard assessments across northern California and the Pacific Northwest.
Learn More

Multimedia

¿Dónde Ocurren los Deslizamientos de Tierra?
¿Dónde Ocurren los Deslizamientos de Tierra?
¿Dónde Ocurren los Deslizamientos de Tierra?
where do landslides occur?
Where Do Landslides Occur?
Where Do Landslides Occur?
Photo of geologist holding survey equipment with mountains in the background
2024 Pedersen Lagoon Landslide Tsunami Damage Surveying
2024 Pedersen Lagoon Landslide Tsunami Damage Surveying
Photo of landslide source area with mountains and glacier in the background
2024 Pedersen Lagoon Landslide Landslide Source
2024 Pedersen Lagoon Landslide Landslide Source
Photo showing damaged coniferous trees
2024 Pedersen Lagoon Landslide Damaged Trees
2024 Pedersen Lagoon Landslide Damaged Trees
Photo showing flattened vegetation following the landslide
2024 Pedersen Lagoon Landslide Flattened Vegetation
2024 Pedersen Lagoon Landslide Flattened Vegetation
Up close view of the lower zone of the landslide with the glacier in the bottom left corner
2024 Pedersen Lagoon Landslide Runout
2024 Pedersen Lagoon Landslide Runout
Close up photo of a landslide in mountainous area with a glacier in the background
2024 Pedersen Lagoon Landslide Source Area and Runout
2024 Pedersen Lagoon Landslide Source Area and Runout
Photo of marshy land area showing tsunami impact
2024 Pedersen Lagoon Landslide Tsunami Damage
2024 Pedersen Lagoon Landslide Tsunami Damage
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