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Browse our photos of landslide research and post-landslide investigations.
USGS hydrologist Mark Reid examines an extensional basin in the middle of the Oso landslide deposit. The headscarp (near-vertical cliff at the back of the landslide) is visible at the top of the image. The prominent tree is one of many that fell and became perched as the landslide spread out over the river valley.
USGS hydrologist Mark Reid examines an extensional basin in the middle of the Oso landslide deposit. The headscarp (near-vertical cliff at the back of the landslide) is visible at the top of the image. The prominent tree is one of many that fell and became perched as the landslide spread out over the river valley.
View of Glacier Bay National Park from the air.
View of Glacier Bay National Park from the air.
Photograph taken from a Colorado National Guard helicopter looking north down the West Salt Creek rock avalanche deposit. On May 25, 2014, the central core of the rock avalanche deposit continued to move for 1-2 hours after the main rock avalanche deposit had stopped moving.
Photograph taken from a Colorado National Guard helicopter looking north down the West Salt Creek rock avalanche deposit. On May 25, 2014, the central core of the rock avalanche deposit continued to move for 1-2 hours after the main rock avalanche deposit had stopped moving.
An oblique LIDAR image of La Conchita, Calif., reveals the community’s grim landslide history. The 1995 landslide is outlined in blue and the 2005 landslide in yellow, while a red line overhead outlines the main scarp of an ancient landslide that involved the entire bluff. Arrows show other landslides in the area.
An oblique LIDAR image of La Conchita, Calif., reveals the community’s grim landslide history. The 1995 landslide is outlined in blue and the 2005 landslide in yellow, while a red line overhead outlines the main scarp of an ancient landslide that involved the entire bluff. Arrows show other landslides in the area.
This landslide occurred at La Conchita, California in 2005. Ten people were killed.
This landslide occurred at La Conchita, California in 2005. Ten people were killed.
Building damage caused by a slow landslide in Boyd County, Kentucky. Previous repairs reveal that the landslide has moved in the past.
Building damage caused by a slow landslide in Boyd County, Kentucky. Previous repairs reveal that the landslide has moved in the past.
USGS hydrologist Mark Reid looks at one of the many grabens (extensional basins) that formed as the Oso landslide swept across the North Fork Stillaguamish River valley.
USGS hydrologist Mark Reid looks at one of the many grabens (extensional basins) that formed as the Oso landslide swept across the North Fork Stillaguamish River valley.
USGS civil engineer Brian Collins examines blocks of glacial till that form parts of the Oso landslide deposit.
USGS civil engineer Brian Collins examines blocks of glacial till that form parts of the Oso landslide deposit.
A volcano monitoring “spider” was deployed by helicopter to the Oso landslide to track ground movement and seismicity while search-and-rescue operations were ongoing. The spider was equipped with a seismometer (mounted on the far left leg) to track ground shaking and GPS (a dome-shaped instrument on the upper mast) to track subtle ground movement.
A volcano monitoring “spider” was deployed by helicopter to the Oso landslide to track ground movement and seismicity while search-and-rescue operations were ongoing. The spider was equipped with a seismometer (mounted on the far left leg) to track ground shaking and GPS (a dome-shaped instrument on the upper mast) to track subtle ground movement.
Oso Landslide
Oso Landslide
A landslide caused by heavy rainfall in April 2014 destroyed a building in Carroll County, KY.
A landslide caused by heavy rainfall in April 2014 destroyed a building in Carroll County, KY.
Aerial photograph of catastrophic landslide that occurred near Oso, Washington, March 22, 2014.
Aerial photograph of catastrophic landslide that occurred near Oso, Washington, March 22, 2014.
Oblique aerial photograph of the Oso, Washington landslide, showing the entire extent of the landslide source area and path.
Location: State Route 530, Oso, Washington
Oblique aerial photograph of the Oso, Washington landslide, showing the entire extent of the landslide source area and path.
Location: State Route 530, Oso, Washington
Cracks on a gravel road formed during the reactivation of a slow, deep landslide. The cracks can be indicators of local movement in or around the road or in this case, are a sign of a much larger landslide.
Cracks on a gravel road formed during the reactivation of a slow, deep landslide. The cracks can be indicators of local movement in or around the road or in this case, are a sign of a much larger landslide.
Large cracks formed in this yard after a large landslide occurred downslope of a home. Though the home wasn't directly impacted by the landslide, the cracks in the yard are indicators of potential additional movement and increased landslide risk.
Large cracks formed in this yard after a large landslide occurred downslope of a home. Though the home wasn't directly impacted by the landslide, the cracks in the yard are indicators of potential additional movement and increased landslide risk.
Cracks on a gravel road formed during the initial movement of a slow, deep landslide. The cracks can be indicators of local movement in or around the road or in this case, a much larger landslide and damaged many homes.
Cracks on a gravel road formed during the initial movement of a slow, deep landslide. The cracks can be indicators of local movement in or around the road or in this case, a much larger landslide and damaged many homes.
A reactivated landslide destroyed this home that was built on the landslide. Initial, slow landslide movement allowed the occupant to escape. Island County, WA. March 2013
A reactivated landslide destroyed this home that was built on the landslide. Initial, slow landslide movement allowed the occupant to escape. Island County, WA. March 2013
Photograph of the channel station showing the laser distance meter (in red circle) high above the channel used to measure stage (height) of flow in the channel.
Photograph of the channel station showing the laser distance meter (in red circle) high above the channel used to measure stage (height) of flow in the channel.
Debris flow damage following the 2012 Waldo Canyon fire, Colorado, U.S.
Debris flow damage following the 2012 Waldo Canyon fire, Colorado, U.S.
Toe of the active Cleveland Corral landslide in 2011, perched above US Highway 50 in distance. Movement typically only occurs during wet winter and spring months.
Toe of the active Cleveland Corral landslide in 2011, perched above US Highway 50 in distance. Movement typically only occurs during wet winter and spring months.
Elliot State Forest.