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Landslide Assessments, Situational Awareness, and Event Response Research (LASER)

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By Landslide Hazards Program November 8, 2023

Landslide crises can unfold in many ways, but in all cases, responders and the public need information about what happened and what might happen next as soon as possible.

The LASER project seeks to provide event-driven information products and assessments for landslide events to help guide decision-making and inform the public. The project also conducts research and development aimed towards improving our capacity to rapidly detect, map, monitor, and characterize landslide hazards.

Event Pages
Catastrophic landslide near Oso, Washington, March 22, 2014....
Oblique aerial photograph of the 2014 landslide in northwest Washington. This image shows the entire extent of the landslide source area and path. This event is commonly named the “Oso Landslide” in many official reports. It is also referred to as the “SR530 Landslide,” as named by Snohomish County and Washington State.
Image: Landslides in Limestone
Sources/Usage: Public Domain. View Media Details
Aerial photograph of the dense concentration of landslides near the Haiti earthquake fault zone following the 2010 M7.0 earthquake

 

 

link
Close up photo of a landslide in mountainous area with a glacier in the background

2024 Pedersen Lagoon Landslide-Generated Tsunami

A landslide produced a tsunami in Pedersen Lagoon, southwest of Seward, Alaska on Wednesday, August 7th, 2024, at approximately 04:55 AKDT / 12:55 UTC. Preliminary surveying indicates that the landslide generated a tsunami of 17 meters high (approx. 56 ft) or more in Upper Pedersen Lagoon, reducing to about one meter high (approx. 3 feet) in Lower Pedersen Lagoon. Runup heights reported here are...
By
Landslide Hazards Program, Geologic Hazards Science Center, Alaska Volcano Observatory
link

2024 Pedersen Lagoon Landslide-Generated Tsunami

A landslide produced a tsunami in Pedersen Lagoon, southwest of Seward, Alaska on Wednesday, August 7th, 2024, at approximately 04:55 AKDT / 12:55 UTC. Preliminary surveying indicates that the landslide generated a tsunami of 17 meters high (approx. 56 ft) or more in Upper Pedersen Lagoon, reducing to about one meter high (approx. 3 feet) in Lower Pedersen Lagoon. Runup heights reported here are...
Learn More
link
Overview map showing the location of the landslide (yellow star) relative to the five broadband seismic stations.

Preliminary Analysis of Satellite Imagery and Seismic Observations of the Nuugaatsiaq Landslide and Tsunami, Greenland

Disclaimer This information is preliminary or provisional and is subject to revision. It is being provided to meet the need for timely science to assess ongoing hazards. The information has not received final approval by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) and is provided on the condition that neither the USGS nor the U.S. Government shall be held liable for any damages resulting from the authorized...
By
Natural Hazards Mission Area, Landslide Hazards Program, Geologic Hazards Science Center
link

Preliminary Analysis of Satellite Imagery and Seismic Observations of the Nuugaatsiaq Landslide and Tsunami, Greenland

Disclaimer This information is preliminary or provisional and is subject to revision. It is being provided to meet the need for timely science to assess ongoing hazards. The information has not received final approval by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) and is provided on the condition that neither the USGS nor the U.S. Government shall be held liable for any damages resulting from the authorized...
Learn More
link
Aerial photo of the West Salt Creek rock avalanche

Reconstruction of an Avalanche: The West Salt Creek Rock Avalanche

Release Date: MAY 25, 2016 The West Salt Creek Rock Avalanche, Colorado, May 25, 2014
By
Natural Hazards Mission Area, Landslide Hazards Program
link

Reconstruction of an Avalanche: The West Salt Creek Rock Avalanche

Release Date: MAY 25, 2016 The West Salt Creek Rock Avalanche, Colorado, May 25, 2014
Learn More

Rapid Response Landslide Inventory for the 14 August 2021 M7.2 Nippes, Haiti, Earthquake

We present a preliminary point inventory of the landslides associated with the M7.2 Nippes, Haiti, earthquake that occurred on August 14, 2021. The mapping was part of rapid response efforts to identify hazards for situational awareness and emergency response by humanitarian aid organizations. This inventory accompanies an Open-File Report detailing the hazards presented by the landslides triggere
By
Landslide Hazards Program, Geologic Hazards Science Center

Debris-flow and Flood Video Files, Chalk Cliffs, Colorado, USA, 2015

Chalk Cliffs, located 8 miles southwest of Buena Vista, Colorado, is one of the most active debris-flow areas in the state (U.S. Geological Survey). Three stations were set up at Chalk Cliffs which are located sequentially along a channel draining the 0.3 km2 study area. These stations are equipped with rain gauges, laser distance meters, and data loggers to record rainfall and stage data (Kean, e
By
Natural Hazards Mission Area, Landslide Hazards Program, Geologic Hazards Science Center

Debris-flow inundation and damage data from the 9 January 2018 Montecito Debris-Flow Event

On 9 January 2018, intense rain above Montecito, California triggered a series of debris flows from steep catchments in the Santa Ynez Mountains. These catchments were burned three weeks earlier by the 1140 km2 Thomas Fire. After exiting the mountain front, the debris flows traveled over 3 km down a series of alluvial fans, killing 23 people and damaging over 400 homes. To understand the flow dyna
By
Landslide Hazards Program, Geologic Hazards Science Center

Landslides triggered by the August 14, 2021, magnitude 7.2 Nippes, Haiti, earthquake

The August 14, 2021, magnitude 7.2 Nippes, Haiti, earthquake triggered thousands of landslides on the Tiburon Peninsula. The landslides directly caused fatalities and damage and impeded response efforts by blocking roads and causing other infrastructure damage. Adverse effects of the landslides likely will continue for months to years. This report presents an assessment of potential postearthquake
Authors
Sabrina N. Martinez, Kate E. Allstadt, Stephen L. Slaughter, Robert G. Schmitt, Elaine Collins, Lauren N. Schaefer, Sonia Ellison
By
Natural Hazards Mission Area, Earthquake Hazards Program, Landslide Hazards Program, Geologic Hazards Science Center, International Programs

Landslide crises can unfold in many ways, but in all cases, responders and the public need information about what happened and what might happen next as soon as possible.

The LASER project seeks to provide event-driven information products and assessments for landslide events to help guide decision-making and inform the public. The project also conducts research and development aimed towards improving our capacity to rapidly detect, map, monitor, and characterize landslide hazards.

Event Pages
Catastrophic landslide near Oso, Washington, March 22, 2014....
Oblique aerial photograph of the 2014 landslide in northwest Washington. This image shows the entire extent of the landslide source area and path. This event is commonly named the “Oso Landslide” in many official reports. It is also referred to as the “SR530 Landslide,” as named by Snohomish County and Washington State.
Image: Landslides in Limestone
Sources/Usage: Public Domain. View Media Details
Aerial photograph of the dense concentration of landslides near the Haiti earthquake fault zone following the 2010 M7.0 earthquake

 

 

link
Close up photo of a landslide in mountainous area with a glacier in the background

2024 Pedersen Lagoon Landslide-Generated Tsunami

A landslide produced a tsunami in Pedersen Lagoon, southwest of Seward, Alaska on Wednesday, August 7th, 2024, at approximately 04:55 AKDT / 12:55 UTC. Preliminary surveying indicates that the landslide generated a tsunami of 17 meters high (approx. 56 ft) or more in Upper Pedersen Lagoon, reducing to about one meter high (approx. 3 feet) in Lower Pedersen Lagoon. Runup heights reported here are...
By
Landslide Hazards Program, Geologic Hazards Science Center, Alaska Volcano Observatory
link

2024 Pedersen Lagoon Landslide-Generated Tsunami

A landslide produced a tsunami in Pedersen Lagoon, southwest of Seward, Alaska on Wednesday, August 7th, 2024, at approximately 04:55 AKDT / 12:55 UTC. Preliminary surveying indicates that the landslide generated a tsunami of 17 meters high (approx. 56 ft) or more in Upper Pedersen Lagoon, reducing to about one meter high (approx. 3 feet) in Lower Pedersen Lagoon. Runup heights reported here are...
Learn More
link
Overview map showing the location of the landslide (yellow star) relative to the five broadband seismic stations.

Preliminary Analysis of Satellite Imagery and Seismic Observations of the Nuugaatsiaq Landslide and Tsunami, Greenland

Disclaimer This information is preliminary or provisional and is subject to revision. It is being provided to meet the need for timely science to assess ongoing hazards. The information has not received final approval by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) and is provided on the condition that neither the USGS nor the U.S. Government shall be held liable for any damages resulting from the authorized...
By
Natural Hazards Mission Area, Landslide Hazards Program, Geologic Hazards Science Center
link

Preliminary Analysis of Satellite Imagery and Seismic Observations of the Nuugaatsiaq Landslide and Tsunami, Greenland

Disclaimer This information is preliminary or provisional and is subject to revision. It is being provided to meet the need for timely science to assess ongoing hazards. The information has not received final approval by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) and is provided on the condition that neither the USGS nor the U.S. Government shall be held liable for any damages resulting from the authorized...
Learn More
link
Aerial photo of the West Salt Creek rock avalanche

Reconstruction of an Avalanche: The West Salt Creek Rock Avalanche

Release Date: MAY 25, 2016 The West Salt Creek Rock Avalanche, Colorado, May 25, 2014
By
Natural Hazards Mission Area, Landslide Hazards Program
link

Reconstruction of an Avalanche: The West Salt Creek Rock Avalanche

Release Date: MAY 25, 2016 The West Salt Creek Rock Avalanche, Colorado, May 25, 2014
Learn More

Rapid Response Landslide Inventory for the 14 August 2021 M7.2 Nippes, Haiti, Earthquake

We present a preliminary point inventory of the landslides associated with the M7.2 Nippes, Haiti, earthquake that occurred on August 14, 2021. The mapping was part of rapid response efforts to identify hazards for situational awareness and emergency response by humanitarian aid organizations. This inventory accompanies an Open-File Report detailing the hazards presented by the landslides triggere
By
Landslide Hazards Program, Geologic Hazards Science Center

Debris-flow and Flood Video Files, Chalk Cliffs, Colorado, USA, 2015

Chalk Cliffs, located 8 miles southwest of Buena Vista, Colorado, is one of the most active debris-flow areas in the state (U.S. Geological Survey). Three stations were set up at Chalk Cliffs which are located sequentially along a channel draining the 0.3 km2 study area. These stations are equipped with rain gauges, laser distance meters, and data loggers to record rainfall and stage data (Kean, e
By
Natural Hazards Mission Area, Landslide Hazards Program, Geologic Hazards Science Center

Debris-flow inundation and damage data from the 9 January 2018 Montecito Debris-Flow Event

On 9 January 2018, intense rain above Montecito, California triggered a series of debris flows from steep catchments in the Santa Ynez Mountains. These catchments were burned three weeks earlier by the 1140 km2 Thomas Fire. After exiting the mountain front, the debris flows traveled over 3 km down a series of alluvial fans, killing 23 people and damaging over 400 homes. To understand the flow dyna
By
Landslide Hazards Program, Geologic Hazards Science Center

Landslides triggered by the August 14, 2021, magnitude 7.2 Nippes, Haiti, earthquake

The August 14, 2021, magnitude 7.2 Nippes, Haiti, earthquake triggered thousands of landslides on the Tiburon Peninsula. The landslides directly caused fatalities and damage and impeded response efforts by blocking roads and causing other infrastructure damage. Adverse effects of the landslides likely will continue for months to years. This report presents an assessment of potential postearthquake
Authors
Sabrina N. Martinez, Kate E. Allstadt, Stephen L. Slaughter, Robert G. Schmitt, Elaine Collins, Lauren N. Schaefer, Sonia Ellison
By
Natural Hazards Mission Area, Earthquake Hazards Program, Landslide Hazards Program, Geologic Hazards Science Center, International Programs
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