Landslides are a common hazard in the US. In fact, nearly 44% of the country could experience one, potentially catastrophically.
Landslides are a common hazard in the US. In fact, nearly 44% of the country could experience one, potentially catastrophically. Our new national landslide susceptibility map shows where they’re most likely to happen.
The U.S. Geological Survey has released a new nationwide landslide susceptibility map that indicates nearly 44% of the U.S. could potentially experience landslide activity. The new assessment provides a highly detailed, county-by-county picture of where these damaging, disruptive and potentially deadly geologic hazards are more likely as well as areas where landslide hazards are negligible.
The new map will support risk-reduction and land-use planning efforts by showing where potentially unstable areas are so planners and engineers can better prioritize and mitigate future landslide hazards.
“This new national landslide susceptibility map addresses an important but difficult question: which areas across the entire U.S. are prone to landslides?” said Ben Mirus, USGS research geologist. “We are excited that it is now publicly available to help everyone be more prepared – to be a more hazard-ready nation.”
Read more at U.S. Geological Survey
Image: Map of the United States including Hawaii, Alaska, and Puerto Rico showing landslide susceptibility from yellow (fewer landslides) to red (more landslides), where the areas without shading represent negligible potential for landslides. Higher landslide susceptibility is evident across most mountainous terrain within the U.S., but there is also considerable potential scattered throughout other areas of the country. (Credit: U.S. Geological Survey)
