U.S. Highway 50, California - Current Landslide Status Active
General
This slide moves in response to elevated ground-water pore pressures caused by infiltration from rainfall or melting snow. It typically moves during a wet winter and spring and is dormant during dry times. Continued downslope movement of this slide will likely occur in future wet seasons.
Displayed precipitation is cumulative since October 1, 2017.
Current Activity
Activity status is updated when conditions at the slide change.
The landslide is currently not moving. Pore-water pressures in the slide are low. Elevated pore-water pressures at depth are needed to initiate movement. The slide often begins moving following about 40 inches of cumulative precipitation for the season.
Past Activity
Yearly summaries of past precipitation, movement, and ground-water pressures (for the water year beginning October 1) can be viewed at: Yearly Summaries. Activity during some of these years is discussed below.
During the relatively dry winters of 2013-2014, 2012-2013, and 2011-2012 landslide movement was minimal.
Winter and spring of 2011 were considerably wet, and the slide was quite active during March and April. The toe moved over 2.7 meters downslope and the central area (displayed on the web site) moved about 1.5 meters.
During the relatively dry winters of 2008-2009, 2007-2008, and 2006-2007, landslide movement was minimal.
During the very wet 2005-2006 season, movement in the central area of the slide (displayed on the web site) began in early March and continued to the beginning of May. During this winter/spring period, both the central and toe areas of the slide moved more than 2 meters. Velocities varied between 1 and 5 cm/day; higher velocities occurred during rainy periods.
In response to wet periods in December 2004 through May 2005, pore-water pressures within the slide were elevated. During this wet season, the toe of the slide began creeping in late February 2005 and the central area began moving late March 2005. Movement ceased by early June 2005. During this time, the central area moved about 2 meters and the toe area moved over 4 meters downslope.
For the 2002-2003 wet season, downslope movement in the central and lower parts of the slide ceased in mid-May 2003. Between mid-April and mid-May of 2003, the slide moved about 30 cm in the central part and about 160 cm in the lower part.
During the wet winter months of 2000, the slide moved a few centimeters.
Between late January and early May 1999, downslope movement of about 30 centimeters (cm) occurred at this site near the center of the slide. Downslope displacement also occurred in the upper and lower parts of this slide and ranged between about 20 and 120 cm.
This slide also moved during the wet El Niño-influenced winter. Between mid-March and late-June 1998, cumulative displacement near the center of the slide was about 65 cm. Between late January and the end of June 1998, cumulative downslope movement at the toe of this slide was greater than 560 cm (18.4 feet).
- Overview
Status as of April 3, 2018
General
This slide moves in response to elevated ground-water pore pressures caused by infiltration from rainfall or melting snow. It typically moves during a wet winter and spring and is dormant during dry times. Continued downslope movement of this slide will likely occur in future wet seasons.
Displayed precipitation is cumulative since October 1, 2017.
Current Activity
Activity status is updated when conditions at the slide change.
The landslide is currently not moving. Pore-water pressures in the slide are low. Elevated pore-water pressures at depth are needed to initiate movement. The slide often begins moving following about 40 inches of cumulative precipitation for the season.
Past Activity
Yearly summaries of past precipitation, movement, and ground-water pressures (for the water year beginning October 1) can be viewed at: Yearly Summaries. Activity during some of these years is discussed below.
During the relatively dry winters of 2013-2014, 2012-2013, and 2011-2012 landslide movement was minimal.
Winter and spring of 2011 were considerably wet, and the slide was quite active during March and April. The toe moved over 2.7 meters downslope and the central area (displayed on the web site) moved about 1.5 meters.
During the relatively dry winters of 2008-2009, 2007-2008, and 2006-2007, landslide movement was minimal.
During the very wet 2005-2006 season, movement in the central area of the slide (displayed on the web site) began in early March and continued to the beginning of May. During this winter/spring period, both the central and toe areas of the slide moved more than 2 meters. Velocities varied between 1 and 5 cm/day; higher velocities occurred during rainy periods.
In response to wet periods in December 2004 through May 2005, pore-water pressures within the slide were elevated. During this wet season, the toe of the slide began creeping in late February 2005 and the central area began moving late March 2005. Movement ceased by early June 2005. During this time, the central area moved about 2 meters and the toe area moved over 4 meters downslope.
For the 2002-2003 wet season, downslope movement in the central and lower parts of the slide ceased in mid-May 2003. Between mid-April and mid-May of 2003, the slide moved about 30 cm in the central part and about 160 cm in the lower part.
During the wet winter months of 2000, the slide moved a few centimeters.
Between late January and early May 1999, downslope movement of about 30 centimeters (cm) occurred at this site near the center of the slide. Downslope displacement also occurred in the upper and lower parts of this slide and ranged between about 20 and 120 cm.
This slide also moved during the wet El Niño-influenced winter. Between mid-March and late-June 1998, cumulative displacement near the center of the slide was about 65 cm. Between late January and the end of June 1998, cumulative downslope movement at the toe of this slide was greater than 560 cm (18.4 feet).