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Regional landslide-hazard assessment for Seattle, Washington, USA Regional landslide-hazard assessment for Seattle, Washington, USA

Landslides are a widespread, frequent, and costly hazard in Seattle and the Puget Sound area of Washington State, USA. Shallow earth slides triggered by heavy rainfall are the most common type of landslide in the area; many transform into debris flows and cause significant property damage or disrupt transportation. Large rotational and translational slides, though less common, also cause...
Authors
R.L. Baum, J. Coe, J. W. Godt, E. Harp, M.E. Reid, W. Savage, W.H. Schulz, D.L. Brien, A.F. Chleborad, J.P. McKenna, J. Michael

The hurricane-flood-landslide continuum The hurricane-flood-landslide continuum

In August 2004, representatives from NOAA, NASA, the US Geological Survey (USGS), as well as other government agencies and academic institutions convened in San Juan, Puerto Rico, at a workshop to discuss a proposed research project called the Hurricane-Flood-Landslide Continuum (HFLC). The purpose of the HFLC is to develop and integrate the multidisciplinary tools needed to issue...
Authors
A. Negri, N. Burkardt, J. Golden, J. Halverson, G. Huffman, M. Larsen, J. McGinley, R. Updike, J. P. Verdin, G. Wieczorek

Regulation of landslide motion by dilatancy and pore pressure feedback Regulation of landslide motion by dilatancy and pore pressure feedback

A new mathematical model clarifies how diverse styles and rates of landslide motion can result from regulation of Coulomb friction by dilation or contraction of water‐saturated basal shear zones. Normalization of the model equations shows that feedback due to coupling between landslide motion, shear zone volume change, and pore pressure change depends on a single dimensionless parameter...
Authors
R.M. Iverson

Landslide hazards: A national threat Landslide hazards: A national threat

Landslides occur and can cause damage in all 50 States. Severe storms, earthquakes, volcanic activity, coastal wave attack, and wildfires can cause widespread slope instability. Landslide danger may be high even as emergency personnel are providing rescue and recovery services. To address landslide hazards, several questions must be considered: Where and when will landslides occur? How...
Authors
Water Resources Division U.S. Geological Survey

Rainfall-induced landslides in Puerto Rico: An overview Rainfall-induced landslides in Puerto Rico: An overview

Rainfall-induced landslides are common in Puerto Rico (PR). The presence of steep slopes in mountainous terrain, coupled with weathered soils and intense rainfall, leads to severe slope-stability problems throughout the island. Episodic triggering events such as hurricanes and earthquakes further exacerbate these problems. All physiographic provinces of the island have experienced...
Authors
M.A. Pando, M.E. Ruiz, M. Larsen

Undersea landslides: Extent and significance in the Pacific Ocean, an update Undersea landslides: Extent and significance in the Pacific Ocean, an update

Submarine landslides are known to occur disproportionately in a limited number of environments including fjords, deltas, canyons, volcanic islands and the open continental slope. An evaluation of the progress that has been made in understanding Pacific Ocean submarine landslides over the last 15 years shows that mapping technologies have improved greatly, allowing a better interpretation...
Authors
H.J. Lee

Geology and tsunamigenic potential of submarine landslides in Santa Barbara Channel, Southern California Geology and tsunamigenic potential of submarine landslides in Santa Barbara Channel, Southern California

A large submarine landslide complex and four small landslides developed under the Santa Barbara Channel, suggesting a potential hazard from landslide-generated tsunamis. We integrate offshore stratigraphy and geologic structure, multibeam bathymetric information, and several kinds of seismic-reflection data to understand how and when the submarine landslides formed. Seismic-reflection...
Authors
M. Fisher, W. Normark, H. Gary Greene, H.J. Lee, R. Sliter
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