Articles tagged with Landslides
Researchers in Italy have developed a new technology using distributed optical fiber sensors to monitor soil slopes and detect the onset of landslides. This innovation can help mitigate devastating losses of life and property by providing early warnings, making it an entirely new tool for landslide risk monitoring.
A recent study by Ren examined the causes of a devastating debris flow in China, which killed over 1000 people. The research found that geological conditions, surface loading, vegetation roots, and extreme precipitation all contributed to the disaster.
Debris avalanche landslides can drastically modify the shape and nature of surrounding landscapes, changing water drainage systems. Researchers studied the Pungarehu debris avalanche deposit at Taranaki volcano, New Zealand, to gain insights into transport and emplacement mechanisms.
The TRMM satellite has provided critical data on the devastating floods and landslides triggered by System 91W in the Philippines. The analysis revealed extremely high rainfall totals of over 1,168mm near northeastern Mindanao, causing 34 reported deaths.
System 91W continues to bring floods and heavy rainfall to the central and southern Philippines, causing 31 deaths and 36 injuries. The Joint Typhoon Warning Center predicts a high chance of System 91W becoming a tropical depression within 24 hours.
A massive landslide in a Utah copper mine generated seismic waves that were recorded by instruments over 400 km away, producing earthquake-like signals. The study found that the landslide triggered seismic activity, including small earthquakes with characteristics similar to tectonic earthquakes, in the days following the event.
Researchers discovered that a record-breaking landslide at a Utah copper mine triggered 16 small earthquakes due to two massive rock avalanches. The slide was the largest nonvolcanic landslide in modern North American history, covering New York's Central Park with about 20 meters of debris.
A new study suggests Seattle is prone to significant landslides from earthquakes, potentially affecting hundreds of buildings and transit routes. The study's refined framework simulates ground motion and geological features to better understand the extent of potential damage.
Tropical Storm Manuel dropped heavy rains causing widespread flooding and landslides that claimed the lives of 21 people. The TRMM satellite's data showed rain totals exceeding 350mm along Mexico's Pacific coast, with some areas experiencing extreme rainfall that forced the closure of Acapulco airport.
Researchers develop new tomographic approach to image shallow seismic velocity structure, revealing subducting continental crust for the first time. This allows for early detection of landslides and earthquakes in Central Asia.
Researchers at Brown University propose that double-layered ejecta craters on Mars were formed when impacts blasted through ancient glacial ice, creating a two-layered appearance. The model explains distinct features of the craters, including radial striations and their locations at middle or high latitudes.
A new study reveals that interactions between landslides and erosion, caused by rivers, explains why some mountain ranges exceed their expected lifespan. The study found that large landslides can overwhelm river transport capacity, while landslides also deliver abrasive agents to streams, accelerating erosion.
The new themed issues explore the geological consequences of lithospheric removal in the Sierra Nevada, California, and the ignimbrite province and flareup swarms of subduction-related supervolcanoes. These events are linked to colossal explosive volcanic eruptions that spread ash across western Utah, Nevada, and eastern California.
A study by the University of Oregon found that large landslides in the past created broad, flat valleys with multiple auxiliary channels, providing a calm and safe haven for coho salmon during heavy rainstorms. This discovery provides fundamental insights into the geological and ecological controls on salmon habitat.
The GSA Bulletin has published 13 new papers covering topics such as Holocene record of strong earthquakes in the Lake Tahoe region and evaporite tectonics in the Cumberland basin. The studies reveal a history of major earthquakes throughout the Holocene, with some fault ruptures occurring every 2,600 years.
A NASA study using TRMM satellite data found that 2010 was the deadliest year for rainfall-triggered landslides, with 1,765 fatalities and $759 million in damages. The research used a global database of landslide events and satellite-based rainfall information to identify areas with high landslide risks.
Typhoon Sanba caused severe flooding and landslides in South Korea on September 17, 2012. The TRMM satellite captured data showing intense rain bands with rates of over 90 mm per hour, and powerful thunderstorms reaching heights of up to 14km
A new database reveals that landslides kill ten times more people than previously thought, with 32,300 fatalities documented between 2004 and 2010. The Durham Fatal Landslide Database identifies areas most at risk, enabling policymakers to prioritize action to manage hazards and lessen human population risks.
Researchers investigate debris flow impacts on alpine denudation rates and find that large events can significantly perturb cosmogenic denudation rates. Mid-Pacific microatolls provide a record of sea-level stability over the past 5000 years, indicating minimal oscillations in recent millennia.
Scientists studying giant ice avalanches on Iapetus have found that the coefficient of friction is lower than expected, suggesting a new mechanism for reducing friction during landslides. The findings challenge existing theories and provide insights into the mobility of icy moons in the solar system.
A team of scientists is investigating the hazard posed by landslide-tsunamis in the Arctic to the UK over the next 100 to 200 years. The study aims to clarify the frequency and timing of major Arctic submarine slides and assess their impact on human society and infrastructure.
A study on Valles Marineris fault zone on Mars suggests left-slip transtensional deformation. In Iraq, a 'missing' Cretaceous arc assemblage has been identified in the Zagros orogenic belt. The Okanagan Valley shear zone in Canada has new age constraints and Phanerozoic protoliths for footwall gneisses.
Researchers link steep mountain slopes to landslide erosion caused by plate tectonics and powerful streams. The study found that small increases in slope angle above 30 degrees translate into large increases in landslide erosion.
Researchers have made significant discoveries about the New Madrid Seismic Zone, including its kinematics and potential for stepover structures. Additionally, studies on landslide prediction, gas domes in soft sediments, and regional moisture balance control offer new perspectives on geological phenomena.
Moderate voters tend to cast protest votes to express discontent, whereas extreme left and right voters rarely do. The study reveals that protest voters show their unhappiness by voting for a party further from their preference, aiming to influence the other party's direction.
Scientists at University of Oregon and Caltech discovered a 22,500-year-old landslide dammed the upper reaches of the Eel River, forming a 30-mile-long lake that disappeared over time. The lake's presence may explain genetic similarity among steelhead trout found in the river today.
Researchers have discovered evidence of a late Pleistocene landslide-dammed lake along California's Eel River, which formed around 22,500 years ago. The lake's existence explains the genetic similarity between two types of ocean-going steelhead trout found in the river today.
Researchers have uncovered a well-preserved example of a massive landslide triggered by a volcanic eruption on Tenerife. The study provides insights into the long-term effects of such events on hazardous pyroclastic dispersal, with potential implications for tsunami risk assessment and global preparedness.
Research highlights a significant increase in European storm frequency and strength since the late 19th century. However, Martian soil samples show moderate oxidation-reduction potential, suggesting that while oxidizing compounds may be present, life could still thrive.
Researchers explore potential causes of widespread gullying on the southeastern Tibetan Plateau, find evidence of late Quaternary development in river valleys of the Karakoram Himalaya range. Paleovalley morphology studies reveal insights into climate and tectonic controls on sedimentation.
Heavy rainfall triggered landslides that choked rivers and overwhelmed the Panama City water-treatment plant, forcing a month-long shutdown. The new digital map of landslide scars will help authorities calculate future storm risk and minimize its impact on water supply.
OU School of Meteorology faculty are leading predictability research initiatives, exploring various weather phenomena and their impacts. The team aims to improve forecasting for severe weather events like landslides, tornadoes, and thunderstorms by advancing tools like the SEGMENT modeling system.
A team of researchers led by David Furbish from Vanderbilt University is studying the erosion of Locke Island, which has been alarmingly eroding away since the 1970s. The island's difficulties began when the east bank of the river adjacent to it collapsed, causing a landslide that pinched down the channel flowing around the island.
Researchers used LIDAR technology to measure changes in coastal morphology following a catastrophic series of landslides in Matata, New Zealand. The study found that debris flows sourced from the Awatarariki stream transported over 350,000 cubic meters of debris, and mapped sediment flow paths with high accuracy.
A CU-Boulder expert emphasizes that disasters are preventable and that societies can take proactive measures to minimize devastation. The expert argues that the international community should prioritize preventive measures in disaster assistance, such as rebuilding infrastructure to withstand future disasters.
The Gishwati Area Conservation Program will fund reforestation of nearly 650 acres in Rwanda's Western Province. The expansion aims to stabilize steep hillsides, reduce erosion into the Sebeya River, and provide additional habitat for endangered chimpanzees.
The Gishwati Forest Reserve in Rwanda will become the country's first national conservation park, focusing on restoration of biodiversity, ecosystem services, and promoting local economic development through ecotourism. The project aims to create a model for Africa's ambitious forest restoration efforts.
A 60,000-year-old submarine landslide produced the longest recorded flow of sand and mud on Earth, spanning 1,500 kilometers. The massive event transported sediment volumes equivalent to 10 times those carried by all Earth's rivers annually.
Researchers create ways to visualize and analyze unstructured data, assigning brightness, color, and texture to identify potential threats. This technology can automatically recognize patterns and detect unexpected connections between data points.
Engineers at MIT developed a simple system to determine an area's landslide risk using data on history of landslides, bedrock type, slope inclination, and vegetation growth. The tool is especially applicable to developing countries in Southeast Asia where detailed analysis has not been performed.
Climate change is exacerbating landslides worldwide, particularly in Asia and the Americas, resulting in significant human and financial losses. International experts propose various strategies to mitigate landslide risks, including land use planning, building codes, and infrastructure development.
A combination of factors makes future landslides inevitable in La Conchita, including active faulting, rapid tectonic uplift, and weak rocks. Experts propose a beach park solution and installation of sensors to detect slope movement to mitigate the risk of landslides.
The May-June GSA Bulletin issue explores phosphogenesis and organic-carbon preservation in the Miocene Monterey Formation at Naples Beach, California. Researchers propose a corollary to the Monterey hypothesis suggesting major sinks of organic matter are located in continental sediments.
A dynamic landscape model developed by Lieven Claessens predicts landslide-prone areas and calculates rainfall effects. The research aims to conserve kauri forests, which have prevented landslides for over 1,000 years in New Zealand's Waitakere Ranges Regional Park.
Researchers estimate that up to 35.5 million people in the northern Caribbean are at risk due to tsunamis triggered by movement along the North American and Caribbean plate boundary. The region has experienced several devastating tsunamis in the past, including those in 1692, 1780, and 1946.
Researchers used high-resolution interferometric synthetic aperture radar to analyze data collected between 1992 and 2001 from European Remote Sensing satellites. They found that sliding rates increased by up to 30% during heavy rains, which may be controlled by elevated water pressures in the ground subsurface.
A recent catastrophic landslide on Kilauea has created a debris buffer that stabilizes the Hilina slump, reducing the likelihood of future collapse. The buffer was formed when a detached piece of the mountain slid away and settled beneath the ocean, creating a broad, bench-like structure.
Arjun Heimsath and Hany Farid developed a new method to create 3D models of remote regions using 2D photographs, making it easier for researchers to predict landslides and erosion rates. The technique has limitations, such as requiring clear images of the ground surface and a good point of view.
Rutgers researchers Shinbrot and Glasser have made a breakthrough in understanding shear activity, which can affect pharmaceutical tablet production and landslide behavior. The discovery has wide-ranging implications for industries such as food manufacturing and mining.
A new model predicts a mega-tsunami could devastate the US coastline, with wave heights reaching 100 meters on the West Saharan shore and 50 kilometers high in Florida. The energy released would be equivalent to the electricity consumption of the entire United States in half a year.