Natural Hazards Science

Reducing the Worlds Risk

Landslide Preparedness for Disaster Prevention
International Consortium on Landslides
Dr. P. Patrick Leahy
Acting Director
U.S. Geological Survey
October 13, 2005
U.S. Department of the Interior
U.S. Geological Survey

The Need for Natural Hazard Preparedness

Natural disasters afflict all regions of the world.
Recent Natural Hazards: Pakistan; Indian Ocean;
Rita; Katrina; Landslides in California; Mount St.
Helens.
Improved global disaster reduction and warning is
a shared, global need.
Over the decade 1990-1999, disasters killed 500,000
people and caused $750 billion of damage,
according to data in the, Living with Risk report
of the UN International Strategy for Disaster
Reduction.

The Role of U.S. Geological Survey

Mission: The USGS serves the nation by providing
reliable scientific information to

describe and understand the Earth;

minimize loss of life and property from natural disasters;
manage water, biological, energy, and mineral resources;
and enhance and protect our quality of life.

USGS has the lead federal responsibility to provide

warnings for landslides, earthquakes, and
volcanoes.

USGS Focus on Natural Hazards Science

The scientific community has to make more
compelling arguments ahead natural disasters to
ensure the importance of science is acknowledged
as a primary tool to mitigate damage.
USGS Hazards Focus: Landslides, earthquakes,
floods, hurricanes, tsunamis, volcanoes, and
wildfires.

USGS National Landslide

Hazards Program
Strives to reduce loss of life and property to landslide
hazards through improved understanding an
effective mitigation;

USGS National Landslide Information Center

(http://landslides.usgs.gov/ );

Develop improved approaches for landslide hazard

assessments;

Post-disaster response;
Public Information and outreach.

National Landslide Hazard

Mitigation Strategy

Framework for Reducing Losses

Research
Hazard Mapping and Assessments
Real-Time Monitoring
Loss Assessment
Public Awareness and Education
Preparedness, Response, and Recovery

Landslide Planning Advisory Guide

American Planning Association and
U.S. Geological Survey launching guide today;
Landslide planning guide for the 30,000 U.S. city
planners nationwide;
Basic information on landslides, how to evaluate
landslide potential for an area, and long-term and newdevelopment planning;
Recommendations for partnerships with the private
sector.

NOAA-USGS Flash Flood and Debris

Flow Warning System Pilot Project

Southern California pilot project;

Improve forecasts after recent wildfires;
Warn public and alert emergency managers;
Site-specific Outlook Maps of at-risk areas;
Watches and Warnings;
NOAA-USGS Debris Flow Warning System report
(http://pubs.usgs.gov/circ/2005/1283/)

Relationship of Landslides with Other

Natural Hazards

Flooding
Tsunamis
Hurricanes and Storm Surges
Volcanic Activity
Earthquakes

Future Landslide Science Endeavors

Forecast
Improve and Expand Monitoring
Early Warning

Natural Hazards Science

A Matter of Worldwide Public Safety
If we can use science to help save lives and
minimize the damage caused by natural hazards,
the USGS will have achieved an enormous goal
helping to prevent natural hazards from
becoming disasters and helping to build safer,
more resilient communities worldwide.