Four-dimensional surface motions of the Slumgullion landslide and quantification of hydrometeorological forcing
Landslides modify the natural landscape and cause fatalities and property damage worldwide. Quantifying landslide dynamics is challenging due to the stochastic nature of the environment. With its large area of ~1 km2 and perennial motions at ~10–20 mm per day, the Slumgullion landslide in Colorado, USA, represents an ideal natural laboratory to better understand landslide behavior. Here, we use hybrid remote sensing data and methods to recover the four-dimensional surface motions during 2011–2018. We refine the boundaries of an area of ~0.35 km2 below the crest of the prehistoric landslide. We construct a mechanical framework to quantify the rheology, subsurface channel geometry, mass flow rate, and spatiotemporally dependent pore-water pressure feedback through a joint analysis of displacement and hydrometeorological measurements from ground, air and space. Our study demonstrates the importance of remotely characterizing often inaccessible, dangerous slopes to better understand landslides and other quasi-static mass fluxes in natural and industrial environments, which will ultimately help reduce associated hazards.
Citation Information
| Publication Year | 2020 |
|---|---|
| Title | Four-dimensional surface motions of the Slumgullion landslide and quantification of hydrometeorological forcing |
| DOI | 10.1038/s41467-020-16617-7 |
| Authors | Xie Hu, Roland Bürgmann, William Schulz, Eric J. Fielding |
| Publication Type | Article |
| Publication Subtype | Journal Article |
| Series Title | Nature Communications |
| Index ID | 70211202 |
| Record Source | USGS Publications Warehouse |
| USGS Organization | Geologic Hazards Science Center |
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