Directons of the U.S. Geological Survey Landslide Hazards Reduction Program

Abstract

The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Landslide Hazards Reduction Program includes studies of landslide process and prediction, landslide susceptibility and risk mapping, landslide recurrence and slope evolution, and research application and technology transfer. Studies of landslide processes have been recently conducted in Virginia, Utah, California, Alaska, and Hawaii.. Landslide susceptibility maps provide a very important tool for landslide hazard reduction. The effects of engineering-geologic characteristics of rocks, seismic activity, short and long-term climatic change on landslide recurrence are under study. Detailed measurement of movement and deformation has begun on some active landslides. The U.S. Geological Survey is working to transfer available information on landslides to people and entities concerned with landslide hazard analysis and mitigation, in order to effect improved land-use planning, engineering design and construction, warning and emergency response. For this purpose, the U.S. Geological Survey has deve-loped the National Landslide Information Center in Denver, Colorado.