NEW HIGH-TECH TOOLS FOR IDENTIFYING LANDSLIDE FEATURES Part 14

Digital map image of the West Lost Trail Creek Landslide created by overlaying USGS DOQQ aerial photo on 10 m Digital Elevation Model, then rotating in space, using ArcGIS 9.1

Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) SAR has ability to see through clouds and woody vegetation, up to about 4 inches thick. SAR has ability to see through clouds and woody vegetation, up to about 4 inches thick. It provides acute vertical exaggeration of geomorphic features, crucial to landslide hazard mapping It provides acute vertical exaggeration of geomorphic features, crucial to landslide hazard mapping Image resolution and density controls scale of mappable features, such as these debris lobes Image resolution and density controls scale of mappable features, such as these debris lobes

LiDAR Light Detection and Ranging LiDAR image of Paine Run, Virginia revealed an active fault scarp never previously seen, mapped, or even imagined! “Bare Earth” assessment has incredible potential for landslide mapping

Seattle/Toe Jam Hill Fault Zone Another USGS LiDAR imaging project that revealed hitherto unmapped Holocene fault scarps Common problem in wooded terrain

Algorithms allow for rapid screening of large land areas, when combined with neural networks to create an artificial intelligence (AI) program to enable discriminate mapping. Algorithms allow for rapid screening of large land areas, when combined with neural networks to create an artificial intelligence (AI) program to enable discriminate mapping. Accuracy depends on quality and scale of digital elevation models Accuracy depends on quality and scale of digital elevation models Will supplant stereopair aerial photographic methods for reconnaissance mapping of potential landslide hazards Will supplant stereopair aerial photographic methods for reconnaissance mapping of potential landslide hazards Limitations would be spelled out on map products, recommending site-specific investigations be employed to determine presence, depth and character of past landslippage. Limitations would be spelled out on map products, recommending site-specific investigations be employed to determine presence, depth and character of past landslippage. Property would not be “condemned” unfit for development solely on interpretation of the regional hazard map. Property would not be “condemned” unfit for development solely on interpretation of the regional hazard map. Topographic Algorithms

Recent USGS Landslide Maps The USGS has used San Mateo County, CA as their prototype hazard mapping area since These plots show debris flow hazard map (at left) and landslide incidence map (at right) for Montara Mountain area of northern San Mateo County, CA.

End Users will demand increasingly detailed assessments. Landslide hazard maps generated using GIS can be overlain on tax assessor parcel maps will be used like FEMA Flood Insurance Rate Maps, spreading risk to lenders and insurers. End Users will demand increasingly detailed assessments. Landslide hazard maps generated using GIS can be overlain on tax assessor parcel maps will be used like FEMA Flood Insurance Rate Maps, spreading risk to lenders and insurers.

Future map products will appear like this, overlaying map information on DEMs and digital color images. These products relate well to the general public, planners, and decision makers. ArcGIS 9.1 product. Future map products will appear like this, overlaying map information on DEMs and digital color images. These products relate well to the general public, planners, and decision makers. ArcGIS 9.1 product.