Insights from the Chaos Canyon landslide, Rocky Mountain National Park, USA

This study investigates the Chaos Canyon landslide that occurred on June 28, 2022, in Rocky Mountain National Park. Wes ought to understand the factors contributing to alpine instabilities in a changing climate. Using satellite data, field observations, and climate analysis, we examined the landslide's movement history, volume, and potential causes. 

A mix of empirical and model based evidence suggests that permafrost thaw, weakened basal shear zone, and increased pore-fluid pressure from snowmelt led to the collapse. The researchers estimate the volume of displaced material and discuss the implications for future alpine topography in warming climates. 

Through detailed mapping and SfM models we estimate that ∼1 258 000 ± 150 000 m^3 of material was deposited at the slide toe and ∼1 340 000 ± 133 000 m^3 of material was evacuated from the source area. In a warming climate, landslides like this may be representative of future dynamic alpine topography.