New NASA Model Finds Landslide Threats in Near Real-Time During Heavy Rains

For the first time, scientists can look at landslide threats anywhere around the world in near real-time, thanks to satellite data and a new model developed by NASA. The model, developed at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland, estimates potential landslide activity triggered by rainfall. Rainfall is the most widespread trigger of landslides around the world. If conditions beneath Earth’s surface are already unstable, heavy rains act as the last straw that causes mud, rocks, or debris—or all combined—to move rapidly down mountains and hillsides. The model is designed to increase our understanding of where and when landslide hazards are present and improve estimates of long-term patterns. A global analysis of landslides over the past 10 years using the new open source Landslide Hazard Assessment model for Situational Awareness model was published in a study released online on March 22nd in the journal Earth’s Future. Credit: NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center/Joy Ng