Predicting Landslides
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- Visualizations by:
- Helen-Nicole Kostis
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- Written by:
- Kasha Patel
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- Scientific consulting by:
- Dalia B Kirschbaum and
- Thomas A. Stanley
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- Produced by:
- Joy Ng and
- Ryan Fitzgibbons
- View full credits
If a slope's underlying foundation is unstable, heavy rainfall could be all it takes to trigger a landslide. In fact, rainfall is the most common catalyst for landslides. An open sourced computer model developed at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center uses precipitation data to identify areas all over the globe that are potential landslide hazards. The model first looks at areas that have recently experienced heavy rainfall using data from the Global Precipitation Measurement (GPM) mission. When the rainfall estimates are unusually high, the model checks other known conditions of the area that may encourage landslides, such as recent road construction, steep hills, and other factors. A "nowcast" map then combines the rainfall data and these other factors to mark areas that might have landslides. Scientists have used these models to conduct studies on long term landslide patterns and landslide warning signs. Watch the video to learn more.
For More Information
See NASA.gov
Credits
Please give credit for this item to:
NASA's Scientific Visualization Studio
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Animator
- Helen-Nicole Kostis (USRA) [Lead]
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Writers
- Kasha Patel (NASA/GSFC) [Lead]
- Michelle Tu (Experiential Learning Program, UMD)
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Scientists
- Dalia B Kirschbaum (NASA/GSFC) [Lead]
- Thomas A. Stanley (USRA) [Lead]
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Producers
- Joy Ng (KBR Wyle Services, LLC) [Lead]
- Ryan Fitzgibbons (KBR Wyle Services, LLC) [Lead]