Landslides, What Are They?

A landslide is an encompassing term for a “mass wasting” event. These events are any down-slope movement of soil or rock under the influence of gravity. There are 5 major modes of movements for landslides: falls, topples, slides, spreads, and flows (U.S. Geological Survey, 2024a).

Landslides occur when the material the earth is made out of is to weak to withstand the forces against it. Landslides can be triggered by forces that would further weaken the ground such as: rainfall, snowmelt, changes in water level, stream erosion, ground water (basically anything to do with water), earthquakes, volcanism, and human activity (U.S. Geological Survey, 2024a).

Image from (Jahan, 2023)

Geographic Elements of Landslides

FEMA lists a few elements of the environment that can increase the likelihood of landslide: areas where wildfires or humans have destroyed vegetation, adjacent to steep slopes, in areas previously hit by landslides, on or at the base of steep slopes, and many many more. (2024)

Also unfortunate: for us Utahns, the rocky mountains are one of the worst areas to be in: “Although all 50 states are subject to landslide activity, the Rocky Mountain, Appalachian, and Pacific Coast regions generally suffer the greatest landslide losses.” (FEMA, 2024)

Image From (Roedel, 2024)

Impacts of Landslides

Some of the impacts listed by the World Health Care Organization are broken infrastructure, waterborne diseases, electrocution or laceration from falling debris, as well as mental health issues due to the loss of livestock, property or family. (n.d.)

Adding to this, a few more side effects include contaminated water and/or food, blocked road ways (preventing fast emergency response), and the loss of livelihoods and jobs (European Climate And Health Observatory, 2024 a).

Image from (European Climate And Health Observatory, 2024 b)

Mitigation and Preparation

While the ultimate strategy to avoid landslides is not to live near mountains or steep hills, in Utah, that is especially not feasible from Herriman to Magna, being that the cities are either on, or around the mountain, so preparation is the ultimate goal.

Many deaths occur during sleep on the lower floors, to remedy this: “Stay alert and awake during a storm that could cause a landslide. Many deaths from landslides occur while people are sleeping”(United States, n.d.).

Ready.gov recommends a few strategies to prepare: Have a plan and be aware of warning systems such as the EAS, find the nearest shelter for your area if you feel unsafe (Text SHELTER + your ZIP code to 43362 (4FEMA) to find the nearest shelter), and build an emergency kit just in case: you should include things such as water, food, medical supplies, maps, a flashlight, a dust mask, and a whistle (in case of needing rescue) (United States, n.d.).

Image From (Crisisequipped, n.d.)

Maps

U.S. Landslide Inventory, September 2023 (U.S. Geological Survey, 2024b)

Generalized landslide map (U.S. Geological Survey, 2024c)

Compiled polygons showing landslides (UtahAGRC, 2024)



Beside is the rockfall map of the cities from Magna (top image) to Herriman (bottom image)

Images From (Utah Geological Survey, n.d.)



Beside is a map of the cities from Magna (top image) to Herriman (bottom image) and their susceptibility to landslides

Images From (Utah Geological Survey, n.d.)

The Plan

Now with the groundwork laid out and the maps shown, it is important to know what to do for your neighborhood. As discussed earlier, you should personalize your plan and be ready (if you do live in a susceptible area).

If your area is in an escepcially susecptible area, finding the nearest shelter may be the best option (Text SHELTER + your ZIP code to 43362 (4FEMA) to find the nearest shelter) is of vital importance. (Do consider alternative shelters as FEMA doens't have shelters in every state)

If you need to evacuate, bring a safety kit and all living things on your property. If you don't need to evacuate, make sure your property is ready for the landslide before it occurs, and have a radio ready to listen for updates. Stay away from the landslide at all costs

Again, the best option you have is to be away from any potential landslides and be prepared for one before they strike!

Resources To Consider:
References

FEMA. (n.d.). Landslide | Where. Retrieved November 8, 2024, from https://community.fema.gov/ProtectiveActions/s/article/Landslide-Where

European Climate And Health Observatory. (2024, July 3 a). Landslides. https://climate-adapt.eea.europa.eu/en/observatory/evidence/health-effects/landslides

European Climate And Health Observatory. (2024, July 3 b). Direct and indirect health impacts of landslides [Image]. https://climate-adapt.eea.europa.eu/en/observatory/evidence/health-effects/landslides

Jahan, A. (2023, April 1). [Image of landslide blocking roadway]. Linkedin. https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/causes-effects-landslide-abid-jahan

Roedel, K. (2024, September 25). Landslides pose a serious threat to communities in the Rocky and Sierra Nevada mountains [Image]. KISU. https://www.kisu.org/2024-09-27/landslides-serious-threat-communities-rocky-sierra-nevada-mountains

Crisisequipped. (n.d.) How to Prepare for a Landslide: A Guide + Checklist landslide preparedness[Image]. https://crisisequipped.com/how-to-prepare-for-a-landslide/

United States. (n.d.). Ready.gov | Landslides & Debris Flow. Retrieved November 8, 2024, from https://www.ready.gov/landslides-debris-flow https://www.ready.gov/landslides-debris-flow

U.S. Geological Survey. (2024, November 8 a). What is a landslide and what causes one?. Retrieved November 8, 2024, from https://www.usgs.gov/faqs/what-a-landslide-and-what-causes-one

U.S. Geological Survey. (2024, November 8 b). U.S. Landslide Inventory, September 2023 [Image]. Retrieved November 8, 2024, from https://www.usgs.gov/media/images/us-landslide-inventory-september-2023

U.S. Geological Survey. (2024, November 8 c). Generalized landslide map [Image]. Retrieved November 8, 2024, from https://geology.utah.gov/hazards/landslides/

UtahAGRC. (2024, Nov 8). Landslide deposit information of Utah compiled by the Utah Geological Survey (UGS) [Digital Map/Dataset]. Arcgis. Retrieved November 8, 2024, from https://services1.arcgis.com/99lidPhWCzftIe9K/arcgis/rest/services/LandslideCompilationPolygons/FeatureServer

Utah Geological Survey. (n.d.) Utah Geologic Hazards Portal [Digital Map/Dataset]. Retrieved November 8, 2024, from https://hazards.geology.utah.gov/#

World Health Organization. (n.d.). Landslides. Retrieved November 8, 2024, from https://www.who.int/health-topics/landslides#tab=tab_2