Landslide Danger Looms For 44% Of U.S. Homes – Is Your Property In The Red Zone?

Last week, a U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) study found that nearly half the United States lies in potential landslide zones.

The findings come from a newly released nationwide landslide susceptibility map, offering a county-by-county analysis of landslide risks nationwide.

The map, a product of advanced data analysis and high-resolution elevation data, shows that roughly 44% of U.S. territory could experience landslide activity. For millions of Americans, their homes and communities may be more vulnerable to destructive geological events than previously thought.

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Benjamin Mirus, a research geologist with the USGS who worked on the project, said, “This new national landslide susceptibility map addresses an important but difficult question: which areas across the entire U.S. are prone to landslides?” The detailed assessment aims to support risk-reduction efforts and inform land-use planning in potentially unstable areas.

The map’s creation involved analyzing an inventory of nearly one million previous landslides, utilizing high-resolution national elevation data from the USGS 3D Elevation Program. The approach resulted in a far more detailed picture of landslide risk than was previously available, covering known high-risk areas and regions where landslide potential was poorly understood.

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Certain regions stand out as particularly susceptible. Parts of Appalachia, including West Virginia and eastern Kentucky, show high landslide risks. The Rocky Mountains, California coast and southeast Alaska also prominently in the high-risk category.

Over 90% of Puerto Rico is classified as having high landslide susceptibility.

The map’s release comes just after a sudden landslide in Ketchikan, Alaska, which resulted in one fatality and three injuries, according to the New York Times.

Climate change is worsening the risks as heavy rainfall events – the primary trigger for landslides – are becoming more frequent and intense due to global warming.

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The map offers insights into preparedness for homeowners and communities in high-risk areas and highlights regions where further landslide mapping and research are needed.

The map presents a broad view of landslide susceptibility but does not predict specific events or their timing. Instead, it offers a probability-based assessment of areas more prone to landslides based on geological and topographical factors.

The USGS advises several precautionary measures for individuals residing in high-risk regions, including staying informed about local geology, monitoring warning signs like wall cracks and tilting trees, and maintaining an emergency plan.

In certain situations, property owners may consider consulting engineering geologists for evaluations.

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