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Browse our photos of landslide research and post-landslide investigations.
A soil moisture sensor shown prior to installation in a soil pit. This kind of sensor measures the dielectric constant of the soil using capacitance and frequency domain technology.
A soil moisture sensor shown prior to installation in a soil pit. This kind of sensor measures the dielectric constant of the soil using capacitance and frequency domain technology.
Hillslopes in the 2020 Calwood Fire burn area covered by burned and partially burned trees. This photo was taken approximately 6 months after the fire.
Hillslopes in the 2020 Calwood Fire burn area covered by burned and partially burned trees. This photo was taken approximately 6 months after the fire.
Scientists install the 'Heil Ranch' monitoring station on a steeply burned hillslope within the 2020 Calwood Fire burn area, Boulder County, Colorado. The monitoring station collects data following wildfire to support research on postfire debris-flow processes.
Scientists install the 'Heil Ranch' monitoring station on a steeply burned hillslope within the 2020 Calwood Fire burn area, Boulder County, Colorado. The monitoring station collects data following wildfire to support research on postfire debris-flow processes.
Postfire monitoring station within the 2020 CZU Lightning Complex burn area. This photograph was taken in February 2021 approximately 4.5 months after the fire was contained.
Postfire monitoring station within the 2020 CZU Lightning Complex burn area. This photograph was taken in February 2021 approximately 4.5 months after the fire was contained.
Postfire monitoring station within the 2020 CZU Lightning Complex burn area. This photograph was taken in February 2021 approximately 4.5 months after the fire was contained.
Postfire monitoring station within the 2020 CZU Lightning Complex burn area. This photograph was taken in February 2021 approximately 4.5 months after the fire was contained.
Rilling and a shallow landslide in CZU Fire near Eagle Rock, California. Soil ~3 cm below surface was almost completely dry after the rain storm, highlighting soil water repellancy.
Rilling and a shallow landslide in CZU Fire near Eagle Rock, California. Soil ~3 cm below surface was almost completely dry after the rain storm, highlighting soil water repellancy.
The storm that hit California’s coast between Jan. 26 and 28, 2021, blew out a portion of Hwy 1 near Big Sur. On Saturday, a USGS reconnaissance flight snapped this dramatic photo above the Rat Creek drainage showing the debris flow.
The storm that hit California’s coast between Jan. 26 and 28, 2021, blew out a portion of Hwy 1 near Big Sur. On Saturday, a USGS reconnaissance flight snapped this dramatic photo above the Rat Creek drainage showing the debris flow.
On Sunday, August 16, 2020 at approximately 3:00 PM PST, the River wildfire ignited in Monterey County, California, just west of the Salinas River Valley.
On Sunday, August 16, 2020 at approximately 3:00 PM PST, the River wildfire ignited in Monterey County, California, just west of the Salinas River Valley.
Debris flow deposit at the outlet of the Tumalt Creek drainage basin, Columbia River Gorge, Oregon, following storms in January 2021.
Debris flow deposit at the outlet of the Tumalt Creek drainage basin, Columbia River Gorge, Oregon, following storms in January 2021.
USGS scientist monitors the burn area following the Grizzly Creek fire of 2020 in Glenwood Canyon, Colorado.
USGS scientist monitors the burn area following the Grizzly Creek fire of 2020 in Glenwood Canyon, Colorado.
Burned trees following the 2020 Grizzly Creek fire in Glenwood Canyon, Colorado.
Burned trees following the 2020 Grizzly Creek fire in Glenwood Canyon, Colorado.
An image of 24 June 2020 (B4) and prehistoric (P2) outlier rockfall boulders within the Mount Whitney Trailhead Campground. Boulder P2 is approximately 3 m tall. The blue dashed line indicates one of several tent sites affected by the 2020 rockfalls.
An image of 24 June 2020 (B4) and prehistoric (P2) outlier rockfall boulders within the Mount Whitney Trailhead Campground. Boulder P2 is approximately 3 m tall. The blue dashed line indicates one of several tent sites affected by the 2020 rockfalls.
Images showing the flyrock trajectory from the 24 June 2020 rockfall (see previous figure). Rock impacts at the base of the talus slope split and moved boulders, launching a 0.5 cubic meter boulder 92 m into the lower parking lot at Whitney Portal.
Images showing the flyrock trajectory from the 24 June 2020 rockfall (see previous figure). Rock impacts at the base of the talus slope split and moved boulders, launching a 0.5 cubic meter boulder 92 m into the lower parking lot at Whitney Portal.
Barry Arm of Harriman Fjord, Prince William Sound, Alaska. Included is Barry Glacier and Cascade Glacier.
Barry Arm of Harriman Fjord, Prince William Sound, Alaska. Included is Barry Glacier and Cascade Glacier.
Debris flow deposits caused by intense rainfall in April 2020 block a highway in Macon County, NC.
Debris flow deposits caused by intense rainfall in April 2020 block a highway in Macon County, NC.
Debris flow caused by intense rainfall in April 2020 in Macon County, NC.
Debris flow caused by intense rainfall in April 2020 in Macon County, NC.
USGS ground failure experts examine landslides after Hurricane Maria in the municipality of Las Marias, Puerto Rico.
USGS ground failure experts examine landslides after Hurricane Maria in the municipality of Las Marias, Puerto Rico.
An aerial view of landslide damage after Hurricane Maria in Utuado municipality, Puerto Rico.
An aerial view of landslide damage after Hurricane Maria in Utuado municipality, Puerto Rico.
Damage from a major post-wildfire landslide that occurred on 25 December 2003 near Devore, San Bernardino County as a result of the Old/Grand Prix fires that ran through the San Bernardino Mountains.
Damage from a major post-wildfire landslide that occurred on 25 December 2003 near Devore, San Bernardino County as a result of the Old/Grand Prix fires that ran through the San Bernardino Mountains.
Damage from a major post-wildfire landslide that occurred on 9 January 2018 near Montecito, Santa Barbara County as a result of the 2017 Thomas Fire.
Damage from a major post-wildfire landslide that occurred on 9 January 2018 near Montecito, Santa Barbara County as a result of the 2017 Thomas Fire.
Northeast Region Photo Contest Winner | June 2019 | USGS at Work
Landslide at Howard Gap Road, Hendersonville NC; People (R to L): Kelsey O'Pry, Corey Scheip, Jesse Hill, Jessica DeWitt; UAV imaging and geologic field observations are done to map the extent and activity of this landslide; Hendersonville, NC
Northeast Region Photo Contest Winner | June 2019 | USGS at Work
Landslide at Howard Gap Road, Hendersonville NC; People (R to L): Kelsey O'Pry, Corey Scheip, Jesse Hill, Jessica DeWitt; UAV imaging and geologic field observations are done to map the extent and activity of this landslide; Hendersonville, NC