Sea to summit: An overview of landslides in Maine

The majority of Maine’s mass wasting events occur in glacial deposits and can be roughly divided into three geographic groups: coastal, inland lowland, and inland upland. Maine’s variety of landscapes and surficial materials has also resulted in diverse events from isolated rock falls to large (> 1 km2) spreads in geotechnically sensitive glaciomarine deposits. Lidar topographic data acquisition in the early 2000s uncovered hundreds of previously unknown prehistoric landslides, renewing interest in what was thought to be a minor hazard. Coastal bluff and prehistoric landslide studies have sought better understanding of local landslide triggers and potential impacts of climate change in the face of increased development.

Spigel L (2022) Sea to summit: An overview of landslides in Maine. USGS Landslide Hazards Seminar, 16 February 2022.