Articles tagged with Landslides
Researchers from GEOMAR discover a second major landslide on the Norwegian shelf, 12,000 years earlier than previously thought. The Nyegga landslide, named after its discovery site, has been found to be responsible for about one-third of the material displaced during the Storegga event.
A long-term study of forest landslides in the Pacific Northwest reveals that management history has a greater impact on landslide frequency and severity than rainfall. The research, led by Oregon State University, found that decades of road building and logging practices affected flooding, landslides, and erosion patterns.
The study found that earthquake-accelerated landslides (EALs) can maintain accelerated motion for a long time after the earthquake, causing particularly serious human casualties in seismically active areas. Satellite radar observations detected and investigated EALs in Central Italy, leading to the first ever complete EAL inventory.
The Subduction Zones in Four Dimensions (SZ4D) initiative aims to improve understanding of subduction zone hazards through a collaborative effort. The plan involves deploying new instrumentation and developing more accurate models to predict large earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, and landslides.
A new study warns that climate change will negatively impact mountain landscapes and human activity, increasing risks of natural hazards like avalanches and river floods. Mountain communities are also affected, with traditional practices like transhumance and agriculture dying out due to changing weather patterns and water scarcity.
A new analysis by University of Kansas researchers shows that tectonic drivers, such as river steepness and seismic activity, dominate the strength of connectivity in hillslopes across the continental United States. High connectivity zones are associated with increased landslides, while low connectivity zones promote wetland development.
A massive landslide in Nevada's Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area flattened an area larger than downtown Cincinnati, covering over 7 square miles. Geologists studied the landslide to better understand its dynamics and predict future landslides, which are a growing concern in areas with significant topography.
A Brazilian study found that inclusion of visually impaired individuals is crucial for effective disaster prevention policy. The research highlighted barriers to their participation and proposed solutions such as smartphone apps and education to mitigate vulnerability to environmental hazards.
Researchers found that a 2019 landslide on the Amalia Glacier in Chile caused it to grow in size and slow down its melting process. The study suggests that landslides can have a major impact on glacier movement, which could help scientists better predict future changes due to climate change.
Researchers from Tokyo Metropolitan University found that falling beds of sand and melting gelatin exhibit similar destabilization behavior, characterized by fingering instabilities and fluidized interface regions. This study provides insights into the macroscopic physical behavior of granular materials and gels under gravity.
Scientists detected a seismic signal indicating a massive landslide triggered by the rapid recession of the West Grenville Glacier in British Columbia. The resulting tsunami devastated forest, salmon spawning habitats, and logging camps, killing hundreds of thousands of fish and potentially affecting bears and eagles.
A Brazilian study proposes a methodology to involve secondary school students in mapping natural disaster hazards and impact prevention. The students, aged between 2019-2021, were trained to identify areas prone to flooding and landslides using aerial photographs taken by drones.
A recent study by USGS and UPR Mayagüez researchers documented over 300 landslides and severe liquefaction in southern coastal regions after the magnitude 6.4 earthquake. The data provides a valuable resource for Puerto Rico, which lacks an island-wide hazard map for earthquake-triggered landslides or liquefaction.
A new study analyzes three decades of radar data to build a catalogue of rainbands, helping scientists create storm prediction algorithms. The researchers found that 60% of events resulted in at least one National Weather Service warning, with some associated with atmospheric rivers.
A Brazilian study found a correlation between dealing with COVID-19 and environmental disasters, highlighting the need for improved infrastructure and community resilience. The study also identified a lack of continuity in funding for disaster relief and pandemic response.
The 2018 Anak Krakatau volcano collapse in Indonesia was triggered by long-term destabilization, not a sudden explosive eruption. The study found that the disaster was less likely to have been caused by magma forcing its way to the surface and triggering the landslide.
Researchers have discovered that the Matterhorn sways at a frequency of 0.42 Hertz, oscillating roughly in a north-south direction, with similar frequencies in an east-west direction. The mountain's summit experiences amplified vibrations up to 14 times stronger than the reference station at its base.
A recent study found that earthquakes and extreme rainfall lead to a significant increase in landslide rates in Nepal during the monsoon season. The research, published in Nature Communications, reveals that landscape damage caused by the April 2015 Gorkha earthquake increased landslide risk by six times.
The 74th APS Division of Fluid Dynamics Annual Meeting featured presentations on COVID-proofing daily life, kimchi physics, and extreme heat waves. Researchers also discussed advancements in fire-fighting trees and the science behind jellyfish engineers.
A study found that climate change increased the probability of heavy rainfall by 70% in Brazil's Minas Gerais state, leading to severe flooding, deaths, and massive damage. The extreme event caused over 90,000 people to be temporarily homeless and resulted in significant economic losses.
A new study finds that urban areas are up to 10 times more sensitive to variations in precipitation than rural areas, increasing landslide hazard. Human-made changes to topography and vegetation loss in urban areas weaken slopes and make them more prone to landslides.
Researchers from GFZ and NGRI used seismic data to identify three phases of a catastrophic flood, including rockslide and debris flow. The study found that seismic networks can be used to warn of impending flash floods, with available warning times varying by distance and speed.
Researchers detected over 600 slow-moving landslides in western US states using satellite radar imagery. Most were in mountain ranges, near towns and roads, with some at risk of shifting due to earthquakes or rainfall. Landslides cause thousands of deaths worldwide each year.
The Xishancun landslide in China has been analyzed using high-frequency receiver functions from local earthquakes, revealing higher Poisson's ratios and low-velocity layers. These findings suggest the potential hazards of water-rich materials and delineate geotechnical structures for stability analysis and hazard mitigation.
A new study reveals that deforestation and population growth have greatly increased landslide risk in the Kivu Rift, leading to thousands of fatalities each year. The research, conducted over six decades, shows that smallholder agriculture and mining activities also contribute to landslides.
Researchers from University of California - Santa Barbara create model to couple dynamics of landslides and tsunami generation, predicting wave amplitude based on initial column geometry and water depth.
The new LHASA Version 2 model analyzes terrain, rock characteristics, weather, and climate to produce customizable nowcasts of potential landslide activity in near-real time. The model factors in soil moisture and snow mass data to improve accuracy.
Researchers developed a mathematical model SSSAFE to predict landslides by analyzing slope stability over time. The model successfully predicted the 2017 Xinmo landslide, highlighting significant movement 10 months before the disaster occurred.
A study led by a Syracuse University Ph.D. candidate reveals that tectonically active faults are the main force behind tropical mudslides in Colombia. The research uses thermochronology data to show that erosion rates are highest near areas with active faults, not just precipitation rates.
Researchers developed a hybrid simulation method to analyze complex interactions between soil and water. The new method accurately predicts behaviors of soil and seawater in landslide tsunamis.
Assistant Professor Aaron Maxwell uses big data analytics and deep learning to map West Virginia's surface over the last 60 years. The research aims to understand natural landscapes and predict future changes such as landslides and river erosion.
Earthquakes on strike-slip faults can cause shallow bay tsunamis, increasing hazard for coastal cities worldwide. Large horizontal displacements deform bay depth contours, displacing water and initiating tsunami waves.
A new method developed by University of Tsukuba researchers detects multiple landslides associated with Typhoon Talas, revealing smaller landslides detected hundreds of kilometers from the epicenter.
A new study by the CMCC Foundation explores the potential of ERA5 reanalysis data to improve landslide early warning systems. By incorporating antecedent slope wetness conditions, these systems can minimize false alarms and improve disaster prevention.
A team of geologists from TU Graz identified the chemical influencing factors and triggers for recurrent mass movements in fine-grained sediments, enabling preventive measures to be taken. By adapting drainage systems and considering interactions between the system and subsurface, stability can be increased and economic damage reduced.
A new study aims to predict the size and hazard potential of shallow landslides using airborne laser mapping and hillside physics. The model identifies factors affecting landslide size that can't be determined from aerial data, highlighting the need for ground-based assessments.
A recent study led by the University of Malta discovered that groundwater flow can create large gullies along Canterbury's coastline, New Zealand, with some forming in under a week. The gullies are a significant coastal hazard, leading to agricultural land loss and posing risks to local communities.
A study using NASA satellite imagery reveals a landslide-generated tsunami threat in Barry Arm, Alaska, which could affect the surrounding area within the next 20 years. The glacier's rapid retreat has caused the terrain to become unstable, leading to a potential 3,000-foot landslide into the fjord below.
Researchers have measured a slow-motion landslide on an Alaskan slope, which could potentially trigger a devastating tsunami. The study found that the slope on Barry Arm fjord has slid over 120 meters from 2010 to 2017, posing a significant threat to nearby communities and shipping routes.
A University of Washington study reveals certain human actions increase survival chances in devastating events. Researchers suggest simple behavioral changes, such as being aware of local hazards and moving to a higher floor, can save more lives than expensive engineering solutions.
Researchers have developed a new model of landslide-induced tsunamis that accounts for the initial location of the landslide body on the shelf slope. The study reveals that tsunami height is affected by the coastal slope and the position of the land mass before slipping, leading to more accurate predictions.
Researchers investigated luminescence caused by landslides and found different rocks emit light due to unique reasons, with granite exhibiting remarkable photoemission. The study uses ultra-sensitive cameras and spectroscopes to analyze the phenomenon, which could lead to advancements in earthquake prediction and disaster prevention.
A study found that tundra vegetation regenerated rapidly after a major landslide event, but took decades to recover. High-resolution satellite data revealed small changes in land cover and permafrost thawing.
Researchers at the University of Washington found that heavy rainfall, rather than large offshore earthquakes, triggers deep-seated landslides in the central Oregon Coast Range. Over a period of 1,000 years, they identified 2,676 landslides that occurred within the past millennium, with many triggered by heavy rainfall events.
Researchers used data gathered before a 2017 deadly landslide in Greenland to demonstrate the effectiveness of deep learning in predicting seismic events. The study found weak but repetitive rumblings that accelerated over time, leading to the landslide, which could be detected by AI.
A new model developed by Duke University engineers can accurately recreate the dynamics of historic and current landslides, pointing to the temperature of a thin layer of clay as critical to its potential for sudden cataclysmic failure. The approach is being used to monitor an evolving landslide in Andorra.
A Florida State University researcher has identified 85 previously unknown submarine landslides in the Gulf of Mexico between 2008 and 2015. These landslides pose significant risks to coastal communities and seabed infrastructure, including oil platforms and pipelines.
Climate change could lead to a 30-70% increase in landslide activity in the border region of China and Nepal, causing flash floods and downstream disasters. The study used satellite estimates and modeled precipitation data to project future landslide trends.
Researchers at University College London analysed Martian landslide structures to understand their formation. The study found that high-speed rock particles and vibrations could create the unique ridges and furrows, contradicting the idea of icy substrates.
A new study published in Seismological Research Letters found that deep landslides triggered by the 1964 magnitude 9.2 Great Alaska earthquake were not reactivated by the 2018 magnitude 7.1 Anchorage earthquake. Researchers attributed this to the shorter duration and higher frequency of shaking during the 2018 quake, which likely kept ...
A recent NTU study found that widespread liquefaction in irrigated areas contributed to devastating landslides in Palu, Indonesia, during the 7.5 magnitude earthquake. The research highlights the urgent need for Southeast Asian nations to review locations with intensive rice farming activities near active faults.
Researchers found that the 2014 SR530 (Oso), Washington landslide traveled over 1 km due to rapid extension of the landslide and liquefaction of the flood plain. Basal liquefaction mechanism likely occurred at the site, hypothesized to enhance mobility of other landslides in similar settings.
A team of scientists has simulated tsunamis in the Gulf of Elat-Aqaba using a GeoClaw modeling program and concluded that future tsunami hazards are possible. The region's economic importance is heightened by its growing shipping ports, tourism, and water and electrical projects.
A 2019 study found evidence of sporadic, small landslides preceding a massive one on Ritter Island, sparking interest in whether slow landslides reduce the risk of catastrophic collapses. Researchers measured seismic activity and deformation patterns to understand the island's dynamics.
Researchers found signs of ground failure, including slumped road ramps and liquefaction, in the aftermath of the 2018 Anchorage earthquake. The study suggests that shaking from the quake did not reactivate past landslides, likely due to its short duration.
Researchers developed a new method to analyze sediment in mountain rivers to determine landslide frequency and residence time, revealing that most sediment remains in the river system for only ten years. This study has significant implications for understanding and mitigating landslide risk in mountainous regions.
Climate change is causing retrogressive thaw slumps to form on Banks Island, leading to a 60-fold increase in landslides since the 1980s. The impact on aquatic ecosystems and fish populations is unknown due to lack of baseline data.
Researchers at Oregon State University found that a 10% increase in seacliff erosion due to extreme storms could lead to a 20-30% rise in bluff erosion and landslide activity. This is particularly concerning for highly susceptible coastal slopes, as they can already experience frequent slide movements.
A new study published in GSA Today reveals that Hurricane Maria triggered more than 40,000 landslides in at least three-fourths of Puerto Rico's municipalities. The study assesses the factors contributing to these extreme events and aims to enhance landslide susceptibility analyses and risk management efforts.
Researchers analyzed the Sulawesi island earthquake to identify its propagation speed of 4.1 km/s, which falls between seismic wave speeds. The study's findings suggest that steady rupture at unexpected speeds can occur on damaged rocks and may enhance cascading effects.