Landslides

At the USGS Astrogeology Science Center we conduct research on Planetary Defense. Planetary Defense involves predicting potential impactors (asteroids, comets), and studying how to deflect or divert them, as well as the potential effects of an impact. Effects include short-term effects such as blast damage, but also long-term effects such as climate and social impacts.

Interactive U.S. Landslide Data Maps with access to GIS data.

Summer storms on the Grizzly Creek burn area have resulted in repeated flooding and debris flows that are having enormous impacts in Glenwood Canyon. This Story Map collection summarizes the June and July events.

On Wednesday, December 2, 2020 at approximately 10:15 PM PST, the Bond wildfire ignited in Orange County, California, burning partially within the Cleveland Forest, near Silverado Canyon just north of the area burned by the October 2020 Silverado fire. The fire burned 27 square kilometers (sq km) prior to containment on December 10, 2020 (CalFire). Fuels were primarily chaparral, brush, and tall...

On Saturday, June 8, 2019 at approximately 1:30 PM MST, the Woodbury wildfire ignited approximately 8 kilometers (km) northwest of Superior, Arizona. The 7th largest wildfire in Arizona’s recorded history, the fire burned 501 km2 prior to containment on July 15, 2019. The fire occurred within the Superstition Wilderness of the Tonto National Forest. The wilderness area extends from the...

Wildfire can radically change a mountainous landscape such that even a modest rainstorm is capable of producing deadly and destructive flash flooding and debris flows.

Recent Monitoring Data

Wildfire can increase landslide susceptibility in mountainous terrain. The USGS maintains postfire landslide monitoring stations to track hillslope hydrologic conditions in the years following fire.

Wildfire can increase landslide susceptibility in mountainous terrain. The USGS maintains postfire landslide monitoring stations to track hillslope hydrologic conditions in the years following fire.

Recent Monitoring Data

Coastal and marine geohazards are sudden and extreme events beneath the ocean that threaten coastal populations. These underwater hazards include earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, landslides, and tsunamis. The tectonically active west coast of the Americas is prone to such hazards, as it lies along the boundaries of major tectonic plates that make up the Earth's crust—the North American, Caribbean...

...however, wave height could still be hazardous to Whittier and other nearshore communities in Prince William Sound.