“Unseen Forces: Understanding the Impact and Study of Landslides”
Landslides, both locally and globally, have significantly shaped the Earth’s terrain over time. While often overlooked in remote areas, they possess the potential for catastrophic consequences, as evidenced by the devastating landslide that struck Oso, northeast of Seattle, claiming 43 lives a decade ago. Although it stands as the deadliest landslide in U.S. history, similar events worldwide have resulted in significant loss of life.
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Landslides
This year alone, landslides in countries such as Colombia, China, and Indonesia have claimed numerous lives. Notably, a landslide in Guatemala in 2020 resulted in over 100 fatalities, following a previous event that claimed at least 280 lives. Many of these tragedies occur in conjunction with seismic activities or volcanic eruptions, exacerbating their impact.
The increasing threat of landslides is further compounded by climate change, which heightens the risk through intensified storms and wildfires, leading to soil destabilization. Unfortunately, it often takes a catastrophic event, such as deadly landslides in California, Washington, or Alaska, to prompt awareness and initiatives aimed at better preparation.
Landslides encompass various forms, including shallow or deep-seated slides, debris flows triggered by heavy rainfall, and creeps characterized by slow downward movement. Factors such as deforestation and wildfires can weaken soil integrity, making it more susceptible to sliding. In Alaska, natural phenomena like melting permafrost and retreating glaciers, combined with seismic activity and rainfall, pose significant landslide risks, with concerns over potential tsunamis from events like the Barry Arm landslide.
Efforts to study landslides employ advanced techniques such as lidar mapping, which provides detailed surface imaging by eliminating vegetation obstruction. This method has been instrumental in identifying vulnerable areas, as demonstrated in the case of the Oso slide. States like Washington have bolstered their landslide monitoring and analysis capabilities post-Oso, utilizing field observations to corroborate aerial findings and enhance understanding of landslide dynamics.
