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Corina Cerovski-Darriau

Corina is the Landslide Hazards Program Advisor. Her expertise is remote and field mapping of surface processes, monitoring hydrologic change and sediment transport, and modeling landslide hazards.

Her past research covered various topics in hillslope geomorphology – from producing geomorphic process maps to identify and quantify sediment erosion sources, to monitoring how long wildfire impacts soil hydraulic conductivity post-fire, to conducting landslide hazard assessment through field and remote mapping, to sampling and dating material properties to understand landscape evolution. Her scientific interest is the interaction of longer-term geomorphic processes on short-term hazards. 

Professional Experience

  • 2023-present Geologist, U.S. Geological Survey, Golden, CO

  • 2017-2022 Research Geologist, U.S. Geological Survey, Menlo Park/Moffett Field, CA

  • 2016-2017 Mendenhall Post-doctoral Researcher, U.S. Geological Survey, Menlo Park, CA

  • 2010-2016 Research/Teaching Assistant, Univ. of Oregon, Dept. of Earth Sciences, Eugene, OR

  • 2008-2010 Policy Associate, Govt. Affairs Program, AGI, Alexandria, VA

Education and Certifications

  • Ph.D., Geological Sciences, University of Oregon, 2016

  • B.A., Earth and Planetary Sciences, University of California, Berkeley, 2008

Science and Products

map

2025 Hurricane Melissa Landslide Hazards

Hurricane Melissa, a category 5 storm, made landfall on October 28, 2025, near the border of Westmoreland and St. Elizabeth Parishes, southwestern Jamaica. The storm brought heavy rainfall, strong winds, and flooding to much of the Caribbean. In Jamaica, intense rainfall on steep mountainous terrain raised concern about potential landslides. This landslide event page serves as an event summary to...
By
Landslide Hazards Program
2025 Hurricane Melissa Landslide Hazards

2025 Hurricane Melissa Landslide Hazards

Hurricane Melissa, a category 5 storm, made landfall on October 28, 2025, near the border of Westmoreland and St. Elizabeth Parishes, southwestern Jamaica. The storm brought heavy rainfall, strong winds, and flooding to much of the Caribbean. In Jamaica, intense rainfall on steep mountainous terrain raised concern about potential landslides. This landslide event page serves as an event summary to...
Learn More
Photo of a hillside after a fire

Characterizing high-resolution soil burn severity, erosion risk, and recovery using Uncrewed Aerial Systems (UAS)

The western United States is experiencing severe wildfires whose observed impacts, including post-wildfire floods and debris flows, appear to be increasing over time.
By
California Water Science Center, Geology, Minerals, Energy, and Geophysics Science Center, National Innovation Center, Western Geographic Science Center, Wildland Fire Science
Characterizing high-resolution soil burn severity, erosion risk, and recovery using Uncrewed Aerial Systems (UAS)

Characterizing high-resolution soil burn severity, erosion risk, and recovery using Uncrewed Aerial Systems (UAS)

The western United States is experiencing severe wildfires whose observed impacts, including post-wildfire floods and debris flows, appear to be increasing over time.
Learn More
Filter Total Items: 13

Field Observations of Past Debris Flows, February 2024, Pohnpei State, Federated States of Micronesia Field Observations of Past Debris Flows, February 2024, Pohnpei State, Federated States of Micronesia

Landslide hazards pose a significant threat to communities and infrastructure across the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM). To support hazard assessment and mitigation efforts, the USGS Landslide Disaster Assistance Team (LDAT) produced landslide susceptibility and debris-flow runout models and map products for Pohnpei State, FSM. For more information on the LDAT FSM project, refer to...
By
Geology, Minerals, Energy, and Geophysics Science Center

Field Observations of Past Debris Flows, February 2024, Kosrae State, Federated States of Micronesia Field Observations of Past Debris Flows, February 2024, Kosrae State, Federated States of Micronesia

Landslide hazards pose a significant threat to communities and infrastructure across the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM). To support hazard assessment and mitigation efforts, the USGS Landslide Disaster Assistance Team (LDAT) produced landslide susceptibility and debris-flow runout models and map products for Kosrae State, FSM. For more information on the LDAT FSM project, refer to...
By
Geology, Minerals, Energy, and Geophysics Science Center

Field Observations of Past Debris Flows, February 2024, Chuuk State, Federated States of Micronesia Field Observations of Past Debris Flows, February 2024, Chuuk State, Federated States of Micronesia

Landslide hazards pose a significant threat to communities and infrastructure across the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM). To support hazard assessment and mitigation efforts, the USGS Landslide Disaster Assistance Team (LDAT) produced landslide susceptibility and debris-flow runout models and map products for Chuuk State, FSM. For more information on the LDAT FSM project, refer to...
By
Geology, Minerals, Energy, and Geophysics Science Center

Landslide Inventory for Pohnpei, Federated States of Micronesia (FSM) 2003 - 2023 Landslide Inventory for Pohnpei, Federated States of Micronesia (FSM) 2003 - 2023

Landslides hazards pose a serious threat to people and infrastructure in the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM). To develop a comprehensive understanding of the landslides hazards in FSM, the USGS-USAID Landslide Disaster Assistance Team (LDAT) has put together landslide inventories for each state using satellite imagery. Mapping was done using RGB satellite imagery from Maxar, Planet...
By
Geologic Hazards Science Center

Landslide Inventory for Kosrae, Federated States of Micronesia (FSM) 2005 - 2023 Landslide Inventory for Kosrae, Federated States of Micronesia (FSM) 2005 - 2023

Landslides hazards pose a serious threat to people and infrastructure in the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM). To develop a comprehensive understanding of the landslides hazards in FSM, the USGS-USAID Landslide Disaster Assistance Team (LDAT) has put together landslide inventories for each state using satellite imagery. Mapping was done using RGB satellite imagery from Maxar, Planet...
By
Geologic Hazards Science Center

Landslide Inventory for Chuuk, Federated States of Micronesia (FSM) 2003 - 2022 Landslide Inventory for Chuuk, Federated States of Micronesia (FSM) 2003 - 2022

Landslides hazards pose a serious threat to people and infrastructure in the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM). To develop a comprehensive understanding of the landslides hazards in FSM, the USGS-USAID Landslide Disaster Assistance Team (LDAT) has put together landslide inventories for each state using satellite imagery. Mapping was done using RGB satellite imagery from Maxar, Planet...
By
Natural Hazards Mission Area, Landslide Hazards Program, Geologic Hazards Science Center

Results from additional dynamic cone penetration testing of soils on the Utuado Batholith, upland and dissected terrains, Puerto Rico - June 2022 Results from additional dynamic cone penetration testing of soils on the Utuado Batholith, upland and dissected terrains, Puerto Rico - June 2022

A Smart Dynamic Cone Penetrometer (DCP) system allows for the partially automated collection of cone penetrometer data (CPT) to determine mechanical properties of soil along a vertical profile. A smart DCP system was used to collect soil penetration-with-depth values alongside 12 soil pits dug in the Utuado Batholith, a late Cretaceous age granodiorite pluton located on the northern...
By
Landslide Hazards Program

Field observations of landslides and related materials following Hurricane Maria, Puerto Rico Field observations of landslides and related materials following Hurricane Maria, Puerto Rico

During September 2017, Hurricane Maria caused widespread landsliding throughout mountainous regions of Puerto Rico, with more than 71,000 landslides being subsequently identified from aerial imagery (Hughes et al., 2019). Most landslides apparently mobilized as debris flows and occurred within soil (unconsolidated material overlying saprolite and bedrock) and saprolite overlying less...
By
Geologic Hazards Science Center

Data from "Mapping bedrock outcrops in the Sierra Nevada Mountains (California, USA) using machine learning" Data from "Mapping bedrock outcrops in the Sierra Nevada Mountains (California, USA) using machine learning"

Accurate, high-resolution maps of bedrock outcrops are extremely valuable. The increasing availability of high-resolution imagery can be coupled with machine learning techniques to improve regional bedrock maps. This data release contains training data created for developing a machine learning model capable of identifying exposed bedrock across the entire Sierra Nevada Mountains...
By
Geology, Minerals, Energy, and Geophysics Science Center

Field-saturated hydraulic conductivity time series and sediment accumulations following the 2017 Nuns and Tubbs wildfires, Napa and Sonoma Counties, CA, USA Field-saturated hydraulic conductivity time series and sediment accumulations following the 2017 Nuns and Tubbs wildfires, Napa and Sonoma Counties, CA, USA

This dataset comprises repeat surveys of field-saturated hydraulic conductivity and sorptivity following the October 2017 Nuns and Tubbs wildfires as part of an effort to document soil-hydraulic recovery. A summary table includes associated physiographic properties for each site, including: pre-burn vegetation, lithology, soil burn severity, location, soil texture, and associated van...
By
National Cooperative Geologic Mapping Program, Geology, Minerals, Energy, and Geophysics Science Center

Field observations of ground failure triggered by the 2020 Puerto Rico earthquake sequence Field observations of ground failure triggered by the 2020 Puerto Rico earthquake sequence

This dataset consists of over 800 field observations of ground failure (landslides, lateral spreading, and liquefaction) and other damage triggered by the 2019-2020 Puerto Rico earthquake sequence. The sequence started with a M4.7 earthquake on 28 December 2019, followed by many more earthquakes, including 15 larger than M5 (as of 7 July 2020). The M6.4 mainshock, which is thought to...
By
Earthquake Hazards Program, Landslide Hazards Program, National Cooperative Geologic Mapping Program, Geologic Hazards Science Center

Map data from landslides triggered by Hurricane Maria in four study areas of Puerto Rico Map data from landslides triggered by Hurricane Maria in four study areas of Puerto Rico

In September 2017, Hurricane Maria caused widespread landsliding throughout mountainous regions of Puerto Rico. Nearly all landslides mobilized as debris flows (Bessette-Kirton et al., 2019), but herein, we simply use the term "landslides" when describing all types of slope failures that occurred during Hurricane Maria. To examine the extent and physical characteristics of landslides in...
By
Landslide Hazards Program
Aeirial view of landslides blocking roads in Utuado, Puerto Rico Aeirial view of landslides blocking roads in Utuado, Puerto Rico
Landslides triggered by Hurricane Maria: Assessment of an extreme event in Puerto Rico
Aeirial view of landslides blocking roads in Utuado, Puerto Rico

Landslides triggered by Hurricane Maria: Assessment of an extreme event in Puerto Rico

Landslides triggered by Hurricane Maria: Assessment of an extreme event in Puerto Rico

During September 2017, Hurricane Maria triggered >70,000 slope failures throughout the mountainous regions of Puerto Rico (USA). Since then, the USGS has had a multi-faceted team working to understand landslide hazards in Puerto Rico.

By
Natural Hazards Mission Area, Landslide Hazards Program
Aeirial view of landslides blocking roads in Utuado, Puerto Rico

Landslides triggered by Hurricane Maria: Assessment of an extreme event in Puerto Rico

Landslides triggered by Hurricane Maria: Assessment of an extreme event in Puerto Rico

During September 2017, Hurricane Maria triggered >70,000 slope failures throughout the mountainous regions of Puerto Rico (USA). Since then, the USGS has had a multi-faceted team working to understand landslide hazards in Puerto Rico.

By
Natural Hazards Mission Area, Landslide Hazards Program

Cascading land surface hazards as a nexus in the Earth system Cascading land surface hazards as a nexus in the Earth system

Earth’s surface is sculpted by numerous processes that move sediment, ranging from gradual and benign to abrupt and catastrophic. Although infrequent, high-magnitude sediment mobilization events can be hazardous to people and infrastructure, leaving topographic imprints on the landscape and remarkable narratives in the historical record. Hazardous events such as fires, storms, and...
Authors
Brian Yanites, Marin Clark, Joshua J. Roering, A. West, Dimitrios Zekkos, Jane W. Baldwin, Corina Cerovski-Darriau, Sean Gallen, Daniel E. Horton, Eric Kirby, Ben Leshchinksy, H. Benjamin Mason, Seulgi Moon, Katherine Barnhart, Adam Booth, Jonathan Czuba, Scott W. McCoy, Luke McGuire, Allison Pfeiffer, Jennifer Pierce
By
Natural Hazards Mission Area, Landslide Hazards Program

Mapping bedrock outcrops in the Sierra Nevada Mountains (California, USA) using machine learning Mapping bedrock outcrops in the Sierra Nevada Mountains (California, USA) using machine learning

Accurate, high-resolution maps of bedrock outcrops can be valuable for applications such as models of land–atmosphere interactions, mineral assessments, ecosystem mapping, and hazard mapping. The increasing availability of high-resolution imagery can be coupled with machine learning techniques to improve regional bedrock outcrop maps. In the United States, the existing 30 m U.S...
Authors
Apoorva Shastry, Corina Cerovski-Darriau, Brian Coltin, Jonathan Stock
By
Natural Hazards Mission Area, Earthquake Hazards Program, Earthquake Science Center, Geology, Minerals, Energy, and Geophysics Science Center

Smectite-rich horizons in Inceptisols trigger shallow landslides in tropical granitic terranes Smectite-rich horizons in Inceptisols trigger shallow landslides in tropical granitic terranes

Puerto Rico was affected by >70,000 landslides in the wake of 2017 Hurricane Maria, and landslide prevalence was especially high in the Utuado region in the Cordillera Central. Landslide density was highest where soil parent material is granodiorite; landslide slip surfaces tended to be shallow (
Authors
Peter C. Ryan, D. Mahmud, K. Derenoncourt, L. Nerbonne, I. Perez-Martin, J. Reyes Collovati, M. Junaid, Corina Cerovski-Darriau
By
Natural Hazards Mission Area

Multi-stage soil-hydraulic recovery and limited ravel accumulations following the 2017 Nuns and Tubbs wildfires in Northern California Multi-stage soil-hydraulic recovery and limited ravel accumulations following the 2017 Nuns and Tubbs wildfires in Northern California

Wildfire can impact soil-hydraulic properties by reducing saturated hydraulic conductivity and sorptivity, making recently burned landscapes prone to debris flows and flash floods. The post-fire hazard window can range from years to decades. In Northern California, where wildfire frequency is steadily increasing, the impact and soil-hydraulic recovery from wildfires is unknown. Following...
Authors
Jonathan Perkins, Carlos Diaz, Skye Corbett, Corina Cerovski-Darriau, Jonathan Stock, Jeffrey Prancevic, Lisa Micheli, Jay Jasperse
By
National Cooperative Geologic Mapping Program, Geology, Minerals, Energy, and Geophysics Science Center

Sediment budget for watersheds of West Maui, Hawaii Sediment budget for watersheds of West Maui, Hawaii

Episodic runoff brings suspended sediment to West Maui’s nearshore waters, turning them from blue to brown. This pollution degrades the ecological, cultural, and recreational value of these iconic nearshore waters. We used mapping, monitoring, and modeling to identify and quantify the watershed sources for fine sediment that pollutes the nearshore each year. These results focus...
Authors
Jonathan Stock, Corina Cerovski-Darriau
By
National Cooperative Geologic Mapping Program, Geology, Minerals, Energy, and Geophysics Science Center

Mobility characteristics of landslides triggered by Hurricane Maria in Puerto Rico Mobility characteristics of landslides triggered by Hurricane Maria in Puerto Rico

Mobility is an important element of landslide hazard and risk assessments yet has been seldom studied for shallow landslides and debris flows in tropical environments. In September 2017, Hurricane Maria triggered > 70,000 landslides across Puerto Rico. Using aerial imagery and a lidar digital elevation model (DEM), we mapped and characterized the mobility of debris slides and flows in...
Authors
Erin K. Bessette-Kirton, Jeffrey Coe, William Schulz, Corina Cerovski-Darriau, Mason Einbund
By
Natural Hazards Mission Area, Landslide Hazards Program, National Cooperative Geologic Mapping Program, Geologic Hazards Science Center, Supplemental Appropriations for Disaster Recovery Activities, Hurricane Maria, Hurricanes

Where’s the rock: Using convolutional neural networks to improve land cover classification Where’s the rock: Using convolutional neural networks to improve land cover classification

While machine learning techniques have been increasingly applied to land cover classification problems, these techniques have not focused on separating exposed bare rock from soil covered areas. Therefore, we built a convolutional neural network (CNN) to differentiate exposed bare rock (rock) from soil cover (other). We made a training dataset by mapping exposed rock at eight test sites...
Authors
Helen Petlyak, Corina Cerovski-Darriau, Vadim Zaliva, Jonathan Stock
By
National Cooperative Geologic Mapping Program, Geology, Minerals, Energy, and Geophysics Science Center, National Innovation Center

Landslides triggered by Hurricane Maria: Assessment of an extreme event in Puerto Rico Landslides triggered by Hurricane Maria: Assessment of an extreme event in Puerto Rico

Hurricane Maria hit the island of Puerto Rico on 20 September 2017 and triggered more than 40,000 landslides in at least three-fourths of Puerto Rico’s 78 municipalities. The number of landslides that occurred during this event was two orders of magnitude greater than those reported from previous hurricanes. Landslide source areas were commonly limited to surficial soils but also...
Authors
Erin Bessette-Kirton, Corina Cerovski-Darriau, William Schulz, Jeffrey Coe, Jason Kean, Jonathan Godt, Matthew Thomas, K. Hughes
By
Natural Hazards Mission Area, Landslide Hazards Program, National Cooperative Geologic Mapping Program, Geologic Hazards Science Center, Geosciences and Environmental Change Science Center, Supplemental Appropriations for Disaster Recovery Activities, Hurricane Maria, Hurricanes

Dust on a Hawaiian volcano: A regional model using field measurements to estimate transport and deposition Dust on a Hawaiian volcano: A regional model using field measurements to estimate transport and deposition

The western slopes of Hawaii's Mauna Kea volcano are mantled by fine-grained soils, the record of volcanic airfall and eolian deposition. Where exposed, strong winds transport this sediment across West Hawaii, affecting tourism and local communities with decreased air and water quality. Operations on US Army's Ke'amuku Maneuver Area (KMA) have the potential to increase dust flux from...
Authors
Madison Douglas, Jonathan Stock, Kai'ena; Bishaw, Corina Cerovski-Darriau, David Bedford
By
Geology, Minerals, Energy, and Geophysics Science Center

Science and Products

map

2025 Hurricane Melissa Landslide Hazards

Hurricane Melissa, a category 5 storm, made landfall on October 28, 2025, near the border of Westmoreland and St. Elizabeth Parishes, southwestern Jamaica. The storm brought heavy rainfall, strong winds, and flooding to much of the Caribbean. In Jamaica, intense rainfall on steep mountainous terrain raised concern about potential landslides. This landslide event page serves as an event summary to...
By
Landslide Hazards Program
2025 Hurricane Melissa Landslide Hazards

2025 Hurricane Melissa Landslide Hazards

Hurricane Melissa, a category 5 storm, made landfall on October 28, 2025, near the border of Westmoreland and St. Elizabeth Parishes, southwestern Jamaica. The storm brought heavy rainfall, strong winds, and flooding to much of the Caribbean. In Jamaica, intense rainfall on steep mountainous terrain raised concern about potential landslides. This landslide event page serves as an event summary to...
Learn More
Photo of a hillside after a fire

Characterizing high-resolution soil burn severity, erosion risk, and recovery using Uncrewed Aerial Systems (UAS)

The western United States is experiencing severe wildfires whose observed impacts, including post-wildfire floods and debris flows, appear to be increasing over time.
By
California Water Science Center, Geology, Minerals, Energy, and Geophysics Science Center, National Innovation Center, Western Geographic Science Center, Wildland Fire Science
Characterizing high-resolution soil burn severity, erosion risk, and recovery using Uncrewed Aerial Systems (UAS)

Characterizing high-resolution soil burn severity, erosion risk, and recovery using Uncrewed Aerial Systems (UAS)

The western United States is experiencing severe wildfires whose observed impacts, including post-wildfire floods and debris flows, appear to be increasing over time.
Learn More
Filter Total Items: 13

Field Observations of Past Debris Flows, February 2024, Pohnpei State, Federated States of Micronesia Field Observations of Past Debris Flows, February 2024, Pohnpei State, Federated States of Micronesia

Landslide hazards pose a significant threat to communities and infrastructure across the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM). To support hazard assessment and mitigation efforts, the USGS Landslide Disaster Assistance Team (LDAT) produced landslide susceptibility and debris-flow runout models and map products for Pohnpei State, FSM. For more information on the LDAT FSM project, refer to...
By
Geology, Minerals, Energy, and Geophysics Science Center

Field Observations of Past Debris Flows, February 2024, Kosrae State, Federated States of Micronesia Field Observations of Past Debris Flows, February 2024, Kosrae State, Federated States of Micronesia

Landslide hazards pose a significant threat to communities and infrastructure across the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM). To support hazard assessment and mitigation efforts, the USGS Landslide Disaster Assistance Team (LDAT) produced landslide susceptibility and debris-flow runout models and map products for Kosrae State, FSM. For more information on the LDAT FSM project, refer to...
By
Geology, Minerals, Energy, and Geophysics Science Center

Field Observations of Past Debris Flows, February 2024, Chuuk State, Federated States of Micronesia Field Observations of Past Debris Flows, February 2024, Chuuk State, Federated States of Micronesia

Landslide hazards pose a significant threat to communities and infrastructure across the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM). To support hazard assessment and mitigation efforts, the USGS Landslide Disaster Assistance Team (LDAT) produced landslide susceptibility and debris-flow runout models and map products for Chuuk State, FSM. For more information on the LDAT FSM project, refer to...
By
Geology, Minerals, Energy, and Geophysics Science Center

Landslide Inventory for Pohnpei, Federated States of Micronesia (FSM) 2003 - 2023 Landslide Inventory for Pohnpei, Federated States of Micronesia (FSM) 2003 - 2023

Landslides hazards pose a serious threat to people and infrastructure in the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM). To develop a comprehensive understanding of the landslides hazards in FSM, the USGS-USAID Landslide Disaster Assistance Team (LDAT) has put together landslide inventories for each state using satellite imagery. Mapping was done using RGB satellite imagery from Maxar, Planet...
By
Geologic Hazards Science Center

Landslide Inventory for Kosrae, Federated States of Micronesia (FSM) 2005 - 2023 Landslide Inventory for Kosrae, Federated States of Micronesia (FSM) 2005 - 2023

Landslides hazards pose a serious threat to people and infrastructure in the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM). To develop a comprehensive understanding of the landslides hazards in FSM, the USGS-USAID Landslide Disaster Assistance Team (LDAT) has put together landslide inventories for each state using satellite imagery. Mapping was done using RGB satellite imagery from Maxar, Planet...
By
Geologic Hazards Science Center

Landslide Inventory for Chuuk, Federated States of Micronesia (FSM) 2003 - 2022 Landslide Inventory for Chuuk, Federated States of Micronesia (FSM) 2003 - 2022

Landslides hazards pose a serious threat to people and infrastructure in the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM). To develop a comprehensive understanding of the landslides hazards in FSM, the USGS-USAID Landslide Disaster Assistance Team (LDAT) has put together landslide inventories for each state using satellite imagery. Mapping was done using RGB satellite imagery from Maxar, Planet...
By
Natural Hazards Mission Area, Landslide Hazards Program, Geologic Hazards Science Center

Results from additional dynamic cone penetration testing of soils on the Utuado Batholith, upland and dissected terrains, Puerto Rico - June 2022 Results from additional dynamic cone penetration testing of soils on the Utuado Batholith, upland and dissected terrains, Puerto Rico - June 2022

A Smart Dynamic Cone Penetrometer (DCP) system allows for the partially automated collection of cone penetrometer data (CPT) to determine mechanical properties of soil along a vertical profile. A smart DCP system was used to collect soil penetration-with-depth values alongside 12 soil pits dug in the Utuado Batholith, a late Cretaceous age granodiorite pluton located on the northern...
By
Landslide Hazards Program

Field observations of landslides and related materials following Hurricane Maria, Puerto Rico Field observations of landslides and related materials following Hurricane Maria, Puerto Rico

During September 2017, Hurricane Maria caused widespread landsliding throughout mountainous regions of Puerto Rico, with more than 71,000 landslides being subsequently identified from aerial imagery (Hughes et al., 2019). Most landslides apparently mobilized as debris flows and occurred within soil (unconsolidated material overlying saprolite and bedrock) and saprolite overlying less...
By
Geologic Hazards Science Center

Data from "Mapping bedrock outcrops in the Sierra Nevada Mountains (California, USA) using machine learning" Data from "Mapping bedrock outcrops in the Sierra Nevada Mountains (California, USA) using machine learning"

Accurate, high-resolution maps of bedrock outcrops are extremely valuable. The increasing availability of high-resolution imagery can be coupled with machine learning techniques to improve regional bedrock maps. This data release contains training data created for developing a machine learning model capable of identifying exposed bedrock across the entire Sierra Nevada Mountains...
By
Geology, Minerals, Energy, and Geophysics Science Center

Field-saturated hydraulic conductivity time series and sediment accumulations following the 2017 Nuns and Tubbs wildfires, Napa and Sonoma Counties, CA, USA Field-saturated hydraulic conductivity time series and sediment accumulations following the 2017 Nuns and Tubbs wildfires, Napa and Sonoma Counties, CA, USA

This dataset comprises repeat surveys of field-saturated hydraulic conductivity and sorptivity following the October 2017 Nuns and Tubbs wildfires as part of an effort to document soil-hydraulic recovery. A summary table includes associated physiographic properties for each site, including: pre-burn vegetation, lithology, soil burn severity, location, soil texture, and associated van...
By
National Cooperative Geologic Mapping Program, Geology, Minerals, Energy, and Geophysics Science Center

Field observations of ground failure triggered by the 2020 Puerto Rico earthquake sequence Field observations of ground failure triggered by the 2020 Puerto Rico earthquake sequence

This dataset consists of over 800 field observations of ground failure (landslides, lateral spreading, and liquefaction) and other damage triggered by the 2019-2020 Puerto Rico earthquake sequence. The sequence started with a M4.7 earthquake on 28 December 2019, followed by many more earthquakes, including 15 larger than M5 (as of 7 July 2020). The M6.4 mainshock, which is thought to...
By
Earthquake Hazards Program, Landslide Hazards Program, National Cooperative Geologic Mapping Program, Geologic Hazards Science Center

Map data from landslides triggered by Hurricane Maria in four study areas of Puerto Rico Map data from landslides triggered by Hurricane Maria in four study areas of Puerto Rico

In September 2017, Hurricane Maria caused widespread landsliding throughout mountainous regions of Puerto Rico. Nearly all landslides mobilized as debris flows (Bessette-Kirton et al., 2019), but herein, we simply use the term "landslides" when describing all types of slope failures that occurred during Hurricane Maria. To examine the extent and physical characteristics of landslides in...
By
Landslide Hazards Program
Aeirial view of landslides blocking roads in Utuado, Puerto Rico Aeirial view of landslides blocking roads in Utuado, Puerto Rico
Landslides triggered by Hurricane Maria: Assessment of an extreme event in Puerto Rico
Aeirial view of landslides blocking roads in Utuado, Puerto Rico

Landslides triggered by Hurricane Maria: Assessment of an extreme event in Puerto Rico

Landslides triggered by Hurricane Maria: Assessment of an extreme event in Puerto Rico

During September 2017, Hurricane Maria triggered >70,000 slope failures throughout the mountainous regions of Puerto Rico (USA). Since then, the USGS has had a multi-faceted team working to understand landslide hazards in Puerto Rico.

By
Natural Hazards Mission Area, Landslide Hazards Program
Aeirial view of landslides blocking roads in Utuado, Puerto Rico

Landslides triggered by Hurricane Maria: Assessment of an extreme event in Puerto Rico

Landslides triggered by Hurricane Maria: Assessment of an extreme event in Puerto Rico

During September 2017, Hurricane Maria triggered >70,000 slope failures throughout the mountainous regions of Puerto Rico (USA). Since then, the USGS has had a multi-faceted team working to understand landslide hazards in Puerto Rico.

By
Natural Hazards Mission Area, Landslide Hazards Program

Cascading land surface hazards as a nexus in the Earth system Cascading land surface hazards as a nexus in the Earth system

Earth’s surface is sculpted by numerous processes that move sediment, ranging from gradual and benign to abrupt and catastrophic. Although infrequent, high-magnitude sediment mobilization events can be hazardous to people and infrastructure, leaving topographic imprints on the landscape and remarkable narratives in the historical record. Hazardous events such as fires, storms, and...
Authors
Brian Yanites, Marin Clark, Joshua J. Roering, A. West, Dimitrios Zekkos, Jane W. Baldwin, Corina Cerovski-Darriau, Sean Gallen, Daniel E. Horton, Eric Kirby, Ben Leshchinksy, H. Benjamin Mason, Seulgi Moon, Katherine Barnhart, Adam Booth, Jonathan Czuba, Scott W. McCoy, Luke McGuire, Allison Pfeiffer, Jennifer Pierce
By
Natural Hazards Mission Area, Landslide Hazards Program

Mapping bedrock outcrops in the Sierra Nevada Mountains (California, USA) using machine learning Mapping bedrock outcrops in the Sierra Nevada Mountains (California, USA) using machine learning

Accurate, high-resolution maps of bedrock outcrops can be valuable for applications such as models of land–atmosphere interactions, mineral assessments, ecosystem mapping, and hazard mapping. The increasing availability of high-resolution imagery can be coupled with machine learning techniques to improve regional bedrock outcrop maps. In the United States, the existing 30 m U.S...
Authors
Apoorva Shastry, Corina Cerovski-Darriau, Brian Coltin, Jonathan Stock
By
Natural Hazards Mission Area, Earthquake Hazards Program, Earthquake Science Center, Geology, Minerals, Energy, and Geophysics Science Center

Smectite-rich horizons in Inceptisols trigger shallow landslides in tropical granitic terranes Smectite-rich horizons in Inceptisols trigger shallow landslides in tropical granitic terranes

Puerto Rico was affected by >70,000 landslides in the wake of 2017 Hurricane Maria, and landslide prevalence was especially high in the Utuado region in the Cordillera Central. Landslide density was highest where soil parent material is granodiorite; landslide slip surfaces tended to be shallow (
Authors
Peter C. Ryan, D. Mahmud, K. Derenoncourt, L. Nerbonne, I. Perez-Martin, J. Reyes Collovati, M. Junaid, Corina Cerovski-Darriau
By
Natural Hazards Mission Area

Multi-stage soil-hydraulic recovery and limited ravel accumulations following the 2017 Nuns and Tubbs wildfires in Northern California Multi-stage soil-hydraulic recovery and limited ravel accumulations following the 2017 Nuns and Tubbs wildfires in Northern California

Wildfire can impact soil-hydraulic properties by reducing saturated hydraulic conductivity and sorptivity, making recently burned landscapes prone to debris flows and flash floods. The post-fire hazard window can range from years to decades. In Northern California, where wildfire frequency is steadily increasing, the impact and soil-hydraulic recovery from wildfires is unknown. Following...
Authors
Jonathan Perkins, Carlos Diaz, Skye Corbett, Corina Cerovski-Darriau, Jonathan Stock, Jeffrey Prancevic, Lisa Micheli, Jay Jasperse
By
National Cooperative Geologic Mapping Program, Geology, Minerals, Energy, and Geophysics Science Center

Sediment budget for watersheds of West Maui, Hawaii Sediment budget for watersheds of West Maui, Hawaii

Episodic runoff brings suspended sediment to West Maui’s nearshore waters, turning them from blue to brown. This pollution degrades the ecological, cultural, and recreational value of these iconic nearshore waters. We used mapping, monitoring, and modeling to identify and quantify the watershed sources for fine sediment that pollutes the nearshore each year. These results focus...
Authors
Jonathan Stock, Corina Cerovski-Darriau
By
National Cooperative Geologic Mapping Program, Geology, Minerals, Energy, and Geophysics Science Center

Mobility characteristics of landslides triggered by Hurricane Maria in Puerto Rico Mobility characteristics of landslides triggered by Hurricane Maria in Puerto Rico

Mobility is an important element of landslide hazard and risk assessments yet has been seldom studied for shallow landslides and debris flows in tropical environments. In September 2017, Hurricane Maria triggered > 70,000 landslides across Puerto Rico. Using aerial imagery and a lidar digital elevation model (DEM), we mapped and characterized the mobility of debris slides and flows in...
Authors
Erin K. Bessette-Kirton, Jeffrey Coe, William Schulz, Corina Cerovski-Darriau, Mason Einbund
By
Natural Hazards Mission Area, Landslide Hazards Program, National Cooperative Geologic Mapping Program, Geologic Hazards Science Center, Supplemental Appropriations for Disaster Recovery Activities, Hurricane Maria, Hurricanes

Where’s the rock: Using convolutional neural networks to improve land cover classification Where’s the rock: Using convolutional neural networks to improve land cover classification

While machine learning techniques have been increasingly applied to land cover classification problems, these techniques have not focused on separating exposed bare rock from soil covered areas. Therefore, we built a convolutional neural network (CNN) to differentiate exposed bare rock (rock) from soil cover (other). We made a training dataset by mapping exposed rock at eight test sites...
Authors
Helen Petlyak, Corina Cerovski-Darriau, Vadim Zaliva, Jonathan Stock
By
National Cooperative Geologic Mapping Program, Geology, Minerals, Energy, and Geophysics Science Center, National Innovation Center

Landslides triggered by Hurricane Maria: Assessment of an extreme event in Puerto Rico Landslides triggered by Hurricane Maria: Assessment of an extreme event in Puerto Rico

Hurricane Maria hit the island of Puerto Rico on 20 September 2017 and triggered more than 40,000 landslides in at least three-fourths of Puerto Rico’s 78 municipalities. The number of landslides that occurred during this event was two orders of magnitude greater than those reported from previous hurricanes. Landslide source areas were commonly limited to surficial soils but also...
Authors
Erin Bessette-Kirton, Corina Cerovski-Darriau, William Schulz, Jeffrey Coe, Jason Kean, Jonathan Godt, Matthew Thomas, K. Hughes
By
Natural Hazards Mission Area, Landslide Hazards Program, National Cooperative Geologic Mapping Program, Geologic Hazards Science Center, Geosciences and Environmental Change Science Center, Supplemental Appropriations for Disaster Recovery Activities, Hurricane Maria, Hurricanes

Dust on a Hawaiian volcano: A regional model using field measurements to estimate transport and deposition Dust on a Hawaiian volcano: A regional model using field measurements to estimate transport and deposition

The western slopes of Hawaii's Mauna Kea volcano are mantled by fine-grained soils, the record of volcanic airfall and eolian deposition. Where exposed, strong winds transport this sediment across West Hawaii, affecting tourism and local communities with decreased air and water quality. Operations on US Army's Ke'amuku Maneuver Area (KMA) have the potential to increase dust flux from...
Authors
Madison Douglas, Jonathan Stock, Kai'ena; Bishaw, Corina Cerovski-Darriau, David Bedford
By
Geology, Minerals, Energy, and Geophysics Science Center
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