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Browse our photos of landslide research and post-landslide investigations.
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.
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.
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.
Gould debris basin at a watershed outlet in Los Angeles County, California that has been filled with mud and debris. This photo was taken in 2010 after a major debris flow in the 2009 Station Fire burn area. The metal tower in the foreground is approximately 10 meters high.
Gould debris basin at a watershed outlet in Los Angeles County, California that has been filled with mud and debris. This photo was taken in 2010 after a major debris flow in the 2009 Station Fire burn area. The metal tower in the foreground is approximately 10 meters high.
Elliot State Forest.
An unfilled debris basin at the outlet of Gould Canyon in Los Angeles County, California. The metal tower in the foreground is approximately 10 meters high.
An unfilled debris basin at the outlet of Gould Canyon in Los Angeles County, California. The metal tower in the foreground is approximately 10 meters high.
Oblique photograph of Knife Ridge monitoring site showing approximate soil pit locations.
Oblique photograph of Knife Ridge monitoring site showing approximate soil pit locations.
A USGS monitoring station in the 2009 Station Fire. The Station Fire burned approximately 160,000 acres from August to October 2009, including steep terrain in the Angeles National Forest. The USGS installed this monitoring station approximately 1 month after the fire was contained to collect information about rainfall and postfire soil properties.
A USGS monitoring station in the 2009 Station Fire. The Station Fire burned approximately 160,000 acres from August to October 2009, including steep terrain in the Angeles National Forest. The USGS installed this monitoring station approximately 1 month after the fire was contained to collect information about rainfall and postfire soil properties.
Well-developed rills in the 2009 Station Fire. Rills are small channels cut into the hillside by erosion processes. They have the potential to generate a large amount of sediment, which may contribute to debris-flow formation.
Well-developed rills in the 2009 Station Fire. Rills are small channels cut into the hillside by erosion processes. They have the potential to generate a large amount of sediment, which may contribute to debris-flow formation.
A USGS monitoring station in the 2009 Station Fire. The Station Fire burned approximately 160,000 acres from August to October 2009, including steep terrain in the Angeles National Forest. The USGS installed this monitoring station approximately 1 month after the fire was contained to collect information about rainfall and postfire soil properties.
A USGS monitoring station in the 2009 Station Fire. The Station Fire burned approximately 160,000 acres from August to October 2009, including steep terrain in the Angeles National Forest. The USGS installed this monitoring station approximately 1 month after the fire was contained to collect information about rainfall and postfire soil properties.
A USGS walks on a very steep, burned hillslope in the 2009 Station Fire, Angeles National Forest, California. The wildfire has removed nearly all of the vegetation from the hillslope and well-developed rills cover the ground's surface. Rills are small channels cut into the hillside by erosion processes.
A USGS walks on a very steep, burned hillslope in the 2009 Station Fire, Angeles National Forest, California. The wildfire has removed nearly all of the vegetation from the hillslope and well-developed rills cover the ground's surface. Rills are small channels cut into the hillside by erosion processes.
The Upper monitoring station at Chalk Cliffs, CO.
The Upper monitoring station at Chalk Cliffs, CO.
View of the west channel and Upper monitoring station (Station 1), Chalk Cliffs, CO.
View of the west channel and Upper monitoring station (Station 1), Chalk Cliffs, CO.
Photograph of the active (upslope from the highway that crosses the landslide deposit) and inactive (downslope from the highway) parts of the Slumgullion landslide in Hinsdale County, Colorado.
Photograph of the active (upslope from the highway that crosses the landslide deposit) and inactive (downslope from the highway) parts of the Slumgullion landslide in Hinsdale County, Colorado.
Photograph of the Donghekou Landslide, triggered by the 2008 Wenchuan, China Earthquake. This landslide had 3 sources areas: the mountain slope at the top right of the photograph a second area primarily resulting in a rockslide that occurred to the left of the scientists, and one to the right, across the river (not shown in picture).
Photograph of the Donghekou Landslide, triggered by the 2008 Wenchuan, China Earthquake. This landslide had 3 sources areas: the mountain slope at the top right of the photograph a second area primarily resulting in a rockslide that occurred to the left of the scientists, and one to the right, across the river (not shown in picture).
Photograph of the Donghekou Landslide, triggered by the 2008 Wenchuan, China Earthquake. This landslide had 3 sources areas: the mountain slope at the top right of the photograph a second area primarily resulting in a rockslide that occurred to the left of the scientists, and one to the right, across the river (not shown in picture).
Photograph of the Donghekou Landslide, triggered by the 2008 Wenchuan, China Earthquake. This landslide had 3 sources areas: the mountain slope at the top right of the photograph a second area primarily resulting in a rockslide that occurred to the left of the scientists, and one to the right, across the river (not shown in picture).
This event occurred on October 4, 2007 in La Jolla, California. A landslide, perhaps first indicated in July by cracks appearing in pavement and homes along Soledad Mountain Road, struck suddenly when a massive slab of hillside broke loose, sending tons of dirt cascading toward streets below.
This event occurred on October 4, 2007 in La Jolla, California. A landslide, perhaps first indicated in July by cracks appearing in pavement and homes along Soledad Mountain Road, struck suddenly when a massive slab of hillside broke loose, sending tons of dirt cascading toward streets below.
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.