Skip to main content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Erin K Jensen

Erin Jensen is a research geologist in the Landslide Hazards Program.

Erin uses multidisciplinary techniques, including numerical modeling, remote sensing, and passive seismic methods to assess landslide hazards. Her current research interests include using numerical rock mechanics modeling to inform landslide susceptibility and characterizing rock slope instabilities using passive seismic techniques.

Professional Experience

  • 2023–present: Mendenhall Postdoctoral Fellow, U. S. Geological Survey, Golden, CO

  • 2017–2019: Physical Scientist, U. S. Geological Survey, Golden, CO

  • 2016–2017: Pathways Intern, U. S. Geological Survey, Golden, CO

Education and Certifications

  • 2023: PhD, Geological Engineering, University of Utah

  • 2017: MS, Geological Engineering, Colorado School of Mines

  • 2014: BS, Civil Engineering, Columbia University

  • 2012: BA, Physics, Hamilton College

Honors and Awards

  • U. S. Geological Survey Mendenhall Research Fellowship, 2023

  • University Teaching Fellowship, University of Utah, 2021

  • Geological Society of America Graduate Student Research Grant, 2020

  • Geological Society of America Awards for Geochronology Student Research Grant, 2020

  • Itasca Educational Partnership Scholarship, 2019

  • Global Change and Sustainability Center First Year Fellowship, University of Utah, 2019

  • Lemke Scholar, Association of Environmental & Engineering Geologists, 2019

Science and Products

Revising supraglacial rock avalanche magnitudes and frequencies in Glacier Bay National Park, Alaska

The frequency of large supraglacial landslides (rock avalanches) occurring in glacial environments is thought to be increasing due to feedbacks with climate warming and permafrost degradation. However, it is difficult to (i) test this; (ii) establish cause–effect relationships; and (iii) determine associated lag-times, due to both temporal and spatial biases in detection rates. Here we applied the
Authors
William Smith, Stuart A. Dunning, Neil Ross, Jon Telling, Erin K. Bessette-Kirton, Dan H. Shugar, Jeffrey A. Coe, M. Geertsema
By
Natural Hazards Mission Area, Landslide Hazards Program, Geologic Hazards Science Center, Geology, Minerals, Energy, and Geophysics Science Center

A 36-year record of rock avalanches in the Saint Elias Mountains of Alaska, with implications for future hazards

Glacial retreat and mountain-permafrost degradation resulting from rising global temperatures have the potential to impact the frequency and magnitude of landslides in glaciated environments. Several recent events, including the 2015 Taan Fiord rock avalanche, which triggered a tsunami with one of the highest wave runups ever recorded, have called attention to the hazards posed by landslides in re
Authors
Erin K. Bessette-Kirton, Jeffrey A. Coe
By
Natural Hazards Mission Area, Landslide Hazards Program, Geologic Hazards Science Center

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 four differe
Authors
Erin K. Bessette-Kirton, Jeffrey A. Coe, William Schulz, Corina Cerovski-Darriau, Mason Muir 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

Debris-flow growth in Puerto Rico during Hurricane Maria: Preliminary results from analyses of pre- and post-event lidar data

On September 20, 2017, Hurricane Maria triggered widespread debris flows in Puerto Rico. We used field observations and pre- and post-Maria lidar to study the volumetric growth of long-travelled (>400 m) debris flows in four basins. We found overall growth rates that ranged from 0.7 to 30.4 m3 per meter of channel length. We partitioned the rates into two growth mechanisms, aggregation of multiple
Authors
Jeffrey A. Coe, Erin K. Bessette-Kirton, Dianne L. Brien, Mark E. Reid
By
Natural Hazards Mission Area, Geologic Hazards Science Center, Hurricane Maria, Hurricanes

An initial assessment of areas where landslides could enter the West Arm of Glacier Bay, Alaska and implications for tsunami hazards

Tsunamis generated by landslides in Glacier Bay are uncommon, but have potential to be extraordinarily destructive when they occur. This article identifies areas that are susceptible to landslides that could generate tsunamis and discusses approaches to characterize hazard and risk from these events.
Authors
Jeffrey A. Coe, Robert G. Schmitt, Erin Bessette-Kirton
By
Natural Hazards Mission Area, Landslide Hazards Program, Geologic Hazards Science Center, Geology, Minerals, Energy, and Geophysics Science Center

The 2016 Lamplugh rock avalanche, Alaska: Deposit structures and emplacement dynamics

Supraglacial landslides result from the catastrophic failure of periglacial rock slopes and deposit large volumes of rock and ice onto the glacier surface. The most remarkable features of these landslides are their prominent long flowbands and a high mobility that exceeds that of their counterparts in other environments. Based on field surveys, high-resolution digital elevation models, and continu
Authors
A. Dufresne, G. Wolken, C Hibert, Erin Bessette-Kirton, Jeffrey A. Coe, M. Geertsema, G Ekström
By
Natural Hazards Mission Area, Geologic Hazards Science Center

An evaluation of debris-flow runout model accuracy and complexity in Montecito, CA: Towards a framework for regional inundation-hazard forecasting

Numerous debris-flow inundation models have been applied retroactively to noteworthy events around the world. While such studies can be useful in identifying controlling factors, calibrating model parameters, and assessing future hazards in specific study areas, model parameters tailored to individual events can be difficult to apply regionally. The advancement of debris-flow modeling applications
Authors
Erin Bessette-Kirton, Jason W. Kean, Jeffrey A. Coe, Francis K. Rengers, Dennis M. Staley
By
Natural Hazards Mission Area, Landslide Hazards Program, Geologic Hazards Science Center, Wildland Fire Science

A 4000-year history of debris flows in north-central Washington State, U.S.A.: Preliminary results from trenching and surficial geologic mapping at the Pope Creek fan

Long-term records of the magnitude and frequency of debris flows on fans are rare, but such records provide critical information needed for debris-flow hazard and risk assessments. This study explores the history of debris flows on a fan with seasonally inhabited cabins at Pope Creek along the Entiat River about 48 km upstream from the town of Entiat, Washington. Motivation for this study was prov
Authors
Jeffrey A. Coe, Erin Bessette-Kirton, Stephen Slaughter, Francis K. Rengers, Trevor A. Contreras, Katherin A Michelson, Emily Taylor, Jason W. Kean, Kara Jacobacci, Molly A Hanson
By
Natural Hazards Mission Area, Landslide Hazards Program, Geologic Hazards Science Center, Wildland Fire Science

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 extended into und

Authors
Erin Bessette-Kirton, Corina Cerovski-Darriau, William Schulz, Jeffrey A. Coe, Jason W. Kean, Jonathan W. Godt, Matthew A. Thomas, K. Stephen 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

Using stereo satellite imagery to account for ablation, entrainment, and compaction in volume calculations for rock avalanches on Glaciers: Application to the 2016 Lamplugh Rock Avalanche in Glacier Bay National Park, Alaska

The use of preevent and postevent digital elevation models (DEMs) to estimate the volume of rock avalanches on glaciers is complicated by ablation of ice before and after the rock avalanche, scour of material during rock avalanche emplacement, and postevent ablation and compaction of the rock avalanche deposit. We present a model to account for these processes in volume estimates of rock avalanche
Authors
Erin Bessette-Kirton, Jeffrey A. Coe, Wendy Zhou
By
Natural Hazards Mission Area, Landslide Hazards Program, Geologic Hazards Science Center

Increasing rock-avalanche size and mobility in Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve, Alaska detected from 1984 to 2016 Landsat imagery

In the USA, climate change is expected to have an adverse impact on slope stability in Alaska. However, to date, there has been limited work done in Alaska to assess if changes in slope stability are occurring. To address this issue, we used 30-m Landsat imagery acquired from 1984 to 2016 to establish an inventory of 24 rock avalanches in a 5000-km2 area of Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve i
Authors
Jeffrey A. Coe, Erin Bessette-Kirton, Marten Geertsema
By
Natural Hazards Mission Area, Landslide Hazards Program, Geologic Hazards Science Center

Non-USGS Publications**

Jensen, E. K. & Moore, J. R. (2023). Coevolution of rock slope instability damage and resonance frequencies from distinct-element modeling. Journal of Geophysical Research: Earth Surface, 128, e2023JF007305. https://doi.org/10.1029/2023JF007305
Dzubay, A., Moore, J. R., Finnegan, R., Jensen, E. K., Geimer, P. R., & Koper, K. D. Rotational Components of Normal Modes Measured at a Natural Sandstone Tower (Kane Springs Canyon, Utah, USA). The Seismic Record, 2(4), 260-268. https://doi.org/10.1785/0320220035
Bessette-Kirton, E. K., Moore, J. R., Geimer, P. R., Finnegan, R., Häusler, M., & Dzubay, A. (2022). Structural characterization of a toppling rock slab from array-based ambient vibration measurements and numerical modal analysis. Journal of Geophysical Research: Earth Surface, 127(8), e2022JF006679. https://doi.org/10.1029/2022JF006679
Finnegan, R., Moore, J. R., Geimer, P. R., Bessette-Kirton, E. K., & Dzubay, A. (2022). Ground Motion Amplification at Natural Rock Arches in the Colorado Plateau. The Seismic Record, 2(3), 156–166. https://doi.org/10.1785/0320220017
Finnegan, R., Moore, J. R., Geimer, P. R., Dzubay, A., Bessette-Kirton, E. K., Bodtker, J. & Vollinger, K. (2022). Ambient Vibration Modal Analysis of Natural Rock Towers and Fins. Seismological Research Letters 93(3), 1777–1786, https://doi.org/10.1785/0220210325

**Disclaimer: The views expressed in Non-USGS publications are those of the author and do not represent the views of the USGS, Department of the Interior, or the U.S. Government.

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-weathered roc
By
Geologic Hazards Science Center

Seismogenic Landslides and other Mass Movements (ver. 2.0, December 2023)

This data release is a compilation of known mass movements that generated seismic signals recorded by seismic networks. It represents a major update of a previous data release (Allstadt and others, 2017) available at https://doi.org/10.5066/F7251H3W. This update includes all events published in the previous data release along with more instances of landslides, debris flows, snow avalanches, outbur
By
Natural Hazards Mission Area, Landslide Hazards Program, Geologic Hazards Science Center

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 severely i
By
Landslide Hazards Program

Pre- and post-event digital elevation models generated from high-resolution stereo satellite imagery of the 2016 Lamplugh rock avalanche in Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve, Alaska

The use of high-resolution remotely sensed imagery can be an effective way to obtain quantitative measurements of rock-avalanche volumes and geometries in remote glaciated areas, both of which are important for an improved understanding of rock-avalanche characteristics and processes. We utilized the availability of high-resolution (~0.5 m) WorldView satellite stereo imagery to derive digital elev
By
Landslide Hazards Program, Geologic Hazards Science Center

Map data showing concentration of landslides caused by Hurricane Maria in Puerto Rico

On September 20, 2017, Hurricane Maria hit the U.S. territory of Puerto Rico as a category 4 storm. Heavy rainfall caused landslides in mountainous regions throughout the territory. This data release presents geospatial data describing the concentration of landslides generated by Hurricane Maria in Puerto Rico. We used post-hurricane satellite and aerial imagery collected between September 26, 201
By
Landslide Hazards Program, Geologic Hazards Science Center

Inventory of rock avalanches in western Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve, Alaska, 1984-2016: a baseline data set for evaluating the impact of climate change on avalanche magnitude, mobility, and frequency

The effects of climate change have the potential to impact slope stability. Negative impacts are expected to be greatest at high northerly latitudes where degradation of permafrost in rock and soil, debuttressing of slopes as a result of glacial retreat, and changes in ocean ice-cover are likely to increase the susceptibility of slopes to landslides. In the United States, the greatest increases in
By
Landslide Hazards Program
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
February 16, 2014 rock avalanche from Mount La Perouse. Relief from head scarp to toe is about 1770 m.

Mountain Permafrost, Climate Change, and Rock Avalanches in Glacier Bay National Park, Alaska

Release Date: JUNE 18, 2018 We usually hear about landslides and avalanches that are caused by large amounts of rainfall, the shaking from earthquakes, or a volcanic eruption, but we may be hearing more about avalanches caused by the (seemingly innocuous) melting of ice in the coming years.
By
Natural Hazards Mission Area, Landslide Hazards Program
link

Mountain Permafrost, Climate Change, and Rock Avalanches in Glacier Bay National Park, Alaska

Release Date: JUNE 18, 2018 We usually hear about landslides and avalanches that are caused by large amounts of rainfall, the shaking from earthquakes, or a volcanic eruption, but we may be hearing more about avalanches caused by the (seemingly innocuous) melting of ice in the coming years.
Learn More

Science and Products

Revising supraglacial rock avalanche magnitudes and frequencies in Glacier Bay National Park, Alaska

The frequency of large supraglacial landslides (rock avalanches) occurring in glacial environments is thought to be increasing due to feedbacks with climate warming and permafrost degradation. However, it is difficult to (i) test this; (ii) establish cause–effect relationships; and (iii) determine associated lag-times, due to both temporal and spatial biases in detection rates. Here we applied the
Authors
William Smith, Stuart A. Dunning, Neil Ross, Jon Telling, Erin K. Bessette-Kirton, Dan H. Shugar, Jeffrey A. Coe, M. Geertsema
By
Natural Hazards Mission Area, Landslide Hazards Program, Geologic Hazards Science Center, Geology, Minerals, Energy, and Geophysics Science Center

A 36-year record of rock avalanches in the Saint Elias Mountains of Alaska, with implications for future hazards

Glacial retreat and mountain-permafrost degradation resulting from rising global temperatures have the potential to impact the frequency and magnitude of landslides in glaciated environments. Several recent events, including the 2015 Taan Fiord rock avalanche, which triggered a tsunami with one of the highest wave runups ever recorded, have called attention to the hazards posed by landslides in re
Authors
Erin K. Bessette-Kirton, Jeffrey A. Coe
By
Natural Hazards Mission Area, Landslide Hazards Program, Geologic Hazards Science Center

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 four differe
Authors
Erin K. Bessette-Kirton, Jeffrey A. Coe, William Schulz, Corina Cerovski-Darriau, Mason Muir 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

Debris-flow growth in Puerto Rico during Hurricane Maria: Preliminary results from analyses of pre- and post-event lidar data

On September 20, 2017, Hurricane Maria triggered widespread debris flows in Puerto Rico. We used field observations and pre- and post-Maria lidar to study the volumetric growth of long-travelled (>400 m) debris flows in four basins. We found overall growth rates that ranged from 0.7 to 30.4 m3 per meter of channel length. We partitioned the rates into two growth mechanisms, aggregation of multiple
Authors
Jeffrey A. Coe, Erin K. Bessette-Kirton, Dianne L. Brien, Mark E. Reid
By
Natural Hazards Mission Area, Geologic Hazards Science Center, Hurricane Maria, Hurricanes

An initial assessment of areas where landslides could enter the West Arm of Glacier Bay, Alaska and implications for tsunami hazards

Tsunamis generated by landslides in Glacier Bay are uncommon, but have potential to be extraordinarily destructive when they occur. This article identifies areas that are susceptible to landslides that could generate tsunamis and discusses approaches to characterize hazard and risk from these events.
Authors
Jeffrey A. Coe, Robert G. Schmitt, Erin Bessette-Kirton
By
Natural Hazards Mission Area, Landslide Hazards Program, Geologic Hazards Science Center, Geology, Minerals, Energy, and Geophysics Science Center

The 2016 Lamplugh rock avalanche, Alaska: Deposit structures and emplacement dynamics

Supraglacial landslides result from the catastrophic failure of periglacial rock slopes and deposit large volumes of rock and ice onto the glacier surface. The most remarkable features of these landslides are their prominent long flowbands and a high mobility that exceeds that of their counterparts in other environments. Based on field surveys, high-resolution digital elevation models, and continu
Authors
A. Dufresne, G. Wolken, C Hibert, Erin Bessette-Kirton, Jeffrey A. Coe, M. Geertsema, G Ekström
By
Natural Hazards Mission Area, Geologic Hazards Science Center

An evaluation of debris-flow runout model accuracy and complexity in Montecito, CA: Towards a framework for regional inundation-hazard forecasting

Numerous debris-flow inundation models have been applied retroactively to noteworthy events around the world. While such studies can be useful in identifying controlling factors, calibrating model parameters, and assessing future hazards in specific study areas, model parameters tailored to individual events can be difficult to apply regionally. The advancement of debris-flow modeling applications
Authors
Erin Bessette-Kirton, Jason W. Kean, Jeffrey A. Coe, Francis K. Rengers, Dennis M. Staley
By
Natural Hazards Mission Area, Landslide Hazards Program, Geologic Hazards Science Center, Wildland Fire Science

A 4000-year history of debris flows in north-central Washington State, U.S.A.: Preliminary results from trenching and surficial geologic mapping at the Pope Creek fan

Long-term records of the magnitude and frequency of debris flows on fans are rare, but such records provide critical information needed for debris-flow hazard and risk assessments. This study explores the history of debris flows on a fan with seasonally inhabited cabins at Pope Creek along the Entiat River about 48 km upstream from the town of Entiat, Washington. Motivation for this study was prov
Authors
Jeffrey A. Coe, Erin Bessette-Kirton, Stephen Slaughter, Francis K. Rengers, Trevor A. Contreras, Katherin A Michelson, Emily Taylor, Jason W. Kean, Kara Jacobacci, Molly A Hanson
By
Natural Hazards Mission Area, Landslide Hazards Program, Geologic Hazards Science Center, Wildland Fire Science

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 extended into und

Authors
Erin Bessette-Kirton, Corina Cerovski-Darriau, William Schulz, Jeffrey A. Coe, Jason W. Kean, Jonathan W. Godt, Matthew A. Thomas, K. Stephen 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

Using stereo satellite imagery to account for ablation, entrainment, and compaction in volume calculations for rock avalanches on Glaciers: Application to the 2016 Lamplugh Rock Avalanche in Glacier Bay National Park, Alaska

The use of preevent and postevent digital elevation models (DEMs) to estimate the volume of rock avalanches on glaciers is complicated by ablation of ice before and after the rock avalanche, scour of material during rock avalanche emplacement, and postevent ablation and compaction of the rock avalanche deposit. We present a model to account for these processes in volume estimates of rock avalanche
Authors
Erin Bessette-Kirton, Jeffrey A. Coe, Wendy Zhou
By
Natural Hazards Mission Area, Landslide Hazards Program, Geologic Hazards Science Center

Increasing rock-avalanche size and mobility in Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve, Alaska detected from 1984 to 2016 Landsat imagery

In the USA, climate change is expected to have an adverse impact on slope stability in Alaska. However, to date, there has been limited work done in Alaska to assess if changes in slope stability are occurring. To address this issue, we used 30-m Landsat imagery acquired from 1984 to 2016 to establish an inventory of 24 rock avalanches in a 5000-km2 area of Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve i
Authors
Jeffrey A. Coe, Erin Bessette-Kirton, Marten Geertsema
By
Natural Hazards Mission Area, Landslide Hazards Program, Geologic Hazards Science Center

Non-USGS Publications**

Jensen, E. K. & Moore, J. R. (2023). Coevolution of rock slope instability damage and resonance frequencies from distinct-element modeling. Journal of Geophysical Research: Earth Surface, 128, e2023JF007305. https://doi.org/10.1029/2023JF007305
Dzubay, A., Moore, J. R., Finnegan, R., Jensen, E. K., Geimer, P. R., & Koper, K. D. Rotational Components of Normal Modes Measured at a Natural Sandstone Tower (Kane Springs Canyon, Utah, USA). The Seismic Record, 2(4), 260-268. https://doi.org/10.1785/0320220035
Bessette-Kirton, E. K., Moore, J. R., Geimer, P. R., Finnegan, R., Häusler, M., & Dzubay, A. (2022). Structural characterization of a toppling rock slab from array-based ambient vibration measurements and numerical modal analysis. Journal of Geophysical Research: Earth Surface, 127(8), e2022JF006679. https://doi.org/10.1029/2022JF006679
Finnegan, R., Moore, J. R., Geimer, P. R., Bessette-Kirton, E. K., & Dzubay, A. (2022). Ground Motion Amplification at Natural Rock Arches in the Colorado Plateau. The Seismic Record, 2(3), 156–166. https://doi.org/10.1785/0320220017
Finnegan, R., Moore, J. R., Geimer, P. R., Dzubay, A., Bessette-Kirton, E. K., Bodtker, J. & Vollinger, K. (2022). Ambient Vibration Modal Analysis of Natural Rock Towers and Fins. Seismological Research Letters 93(3), 1777–1786, https://doi.org/10.1785/0220210325

**Disclaimer: The views expressed in Non-USGS publications are those of the author and do not represent the views of the USGS, Department of the Interior, or the U.S. Government.

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-weathered roc
By
Geologic Hazards Science Center

Seismogenic Landslides and other Mass Movements (ver. 2.0, December 2023)

This data release is a compilation of known mass movements that generated seismic signals recorded by seismic networks. It represents a major update of a previous data release (Allstadt and others, 2017) available at https://doi.org/10.5066/F7251H3W. This update includes all events published in the previous data release along with more instances of landslides, debris flows, snow avalanches, outbur
By
Natural Hazards Mission Area, Landslide Hazards Program, Geologic Hazards Science Center

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 severely i
By
Landslide Hazards Program

Pre- and post-event digital elevation models generated from high-resolution stereo satellite imagery of the 2016 Lamplugh rock avalanche in Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve, Alaska

The use of high-resolution remotely sensed imagery can be an effective way to obtain quantitative measurements of rock-avalanche volumes and geometries in remote glaciated areas, both of which are important for an improved understanding of rock-avalanche characteristics and processes. We utilized the availability of high-resolution (~0.5 m) WorldView satellite stereo imagery to derive digital elev
By
Landslide Hazards Program, Geologic Hazards Science Center

Map data showing concentration of landslides caused by Hurricane Maria in Puerto Rico

On September 20, 2017, Hurricane Maria hit the U.S. territory of Puerto Rico as a category 4 storm. Heavy rainfall caused landslides in mountainous regions throughout the territory. This data release presents geospatial data describing the concentration of landslides generated by Hurricane Maria in Puerto Rico. We used post-hurricane satellite and aerial imagery collected between September 26, 201
By
Landslide Hazards Program, Geologic Hazards Science Center

Inventory of rock avalanches in western Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve, Alaska, 1984-2016: a baseline data set for evaluating the impact of climate change on avalanche magnitude, mobility, and frequency

The effects of climate change have the potential to impact slope stability. Negative impacts are expected to be greatest at high northerly latitudes where degradation of permafrost in rock and soil, debuttressing of slopes as a result of glacial retreat, and changes in ocean ice-cover are likely to increase the susceptibility of slopes to landslides. In the United States, the greatest increases in
By
Landslide Hazards Program
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
February 16, 2014 rock avalanche from Mount La Perouse. Relief from head scarp to toe is about 1770 m.

Mountain Permafrost, Climate Change, and Rock Avalanches in Glacier Bay National Park, Alaska

Release Date: JUNE 18, 2018 We usually hear about landslides and avalanches that are caused by large amounts of rainfall, the shaking from earthquakes, or a volcanic eruption, but we may be hearing more about avalanches caused by the (seemingly innocuous) melting of ice in the coming years.
By
Natural Hazards Mission Area, Landslide Hazards Program
link

Mountain Permafrost, Climate Change, and Rock Avalanches in Glacier Bay National Park, Alaska

Release Date: JUNE 18, 2018 We usually hear about landslides and avalanches that are caused by large amounts of rainfall, the shaking from earthquakes, or a volcanic eruption, but we may be hearing more about avalanches caused by the (seemingly innocuous) melting of ice in the coming years.
Learn More