landslides
Newsletter
Credit: Piotr Figlarz/Unsplash
New map reveals nearly half of the US faces landslide risk
Government scientists have released new data showing that 44% of the U.S. is at risk of experiencing landslides, with some areas particularly vulnerable.
In short:
- A new interactive map from the U.S. Geological Survey identifies nearly 44% of the U.S. as susceptible to landslides.
- High-risk areas include Appalachia, the Rocky Mountains, the California coast, southeast Alaska and Puerto Rico, where more than 90% of the territory is at risk.
- Landslides are often triggered by heavy rain and human development, with climate change increasing the likelihood of intense rainfall events.
Key quote:
“The best protection is knowledge. Knowing what a landslide is and how it might impact you is the best first step toward preparation.”
— Benjamin Mirus, research geologist with the United States Geological Survey
Why this matters:
Landslides pose a significant hazard, especially as climate change increases extreme rainfall, which is a primary trigger. Understanding landslide risks helps communities prepare and reduce the potential for devastating loss of life and property.
Related coverage: California's Highway 1 faces increasing threats
Keep reading...Show less
Newsletter
Typhoon Yagi devastates Vietnam, leaving dozens dead and damaging factories
Typhoon Yagi has killed 46 people, damaged factories and caused widespread power outages in northern Vietnam as it moved westward.
In short:
- Typhoon Yagi triggered floods and landslides, leaving 46 dead and 22 missing in northern Vietnam.
- Factories, including an LG Electronics plant, sustained significant damage, with power outages affecting millions.
- Authorities warn of continued risks from landslides and flooding as the storm weakens.
Key quote:
"Everyone is scrambling to make sites safe and stocks dry."
— Bruno Jaspaert, head of DEEP C industrial zones.
Why this matters:
The typhoon’s impact on critical manufacturing hubs, including foreign companies like LG Electronics, highlights the economic vulnerabilities and human toll of severe storms in the region. With ongoing risks, recovery will be a challenge.
Related: Southeast Asia leads in disaster preparedness despite vulnerability
Keep reading...Show less
Newsletter
Credit: Pratik Gaikwad/Pixabay
Heavy rains trigger deadly landslides in Kerala, India
Landslides from torrential rains in Kerala's Wayanad district killed 93 people, leaving many others trapped and in need of rescue.
In short:
- Heavy rains caused multiple landslides in Kerala, killing 93 and trapping many more.
- Rescuers struggle with blocked roads and unstable terrain as they work to save those buried under debris.
- More than 3,000 people have been moved to relief camps, and more rain is expected.
Key quote:
“Monsoon patterns are increasingly erratic and the quantum of rainfall that we receive in a short spell of time has increased. As a result, we see frequent instances of landslides and floods along the Western Ghats.”
— Roxy Mathew Koll, a climate scientist at the Pune-based Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology
Why this matters:
Increased rainfall intensity over short periods overwhelms the natural drainage systems, causing rivers to swell rapidly and resulting in severe flooding. These floods can lead to loss of agricultural land, contamination of water sources and destruction of infrastructure, disrupting the lives of thousands. The Western Ghats are crucial for their role in regulating the climate and hydrology of peninsular India, and these environmental changes are a stark reminder of the broader impacts of climate change.
Related:
Keep reading...Show less
Newsletter
Credit: lbryan/Big Stock Photo
Highway 1 faces uncertain future as climate change impacts Big Sur
Climate change is jeopardizing the future of Big Sur’s iconic Highway 1, causing frequent landslides and threatening the local economy dependent on tourism.
In short:
- Landslides have repeatedly closed parts of Highway 1, cutting off Big Sur from essential access.
- The local economy, heavily reliant on tourism, suffers whenever the highway is impassable.
- Climate change exacerbates the frequency and severity of natural disasters affecting the area.
Key quote:
“This old two-lane craggy road along the coast is probably becoming one of the most expensive roads on the coast of California. On the other hand, it is classic California. It’s the Yosemite of the coast.”
— Sam Farr, former congressman
Why this matters:
Highway 1 is not just a road; it is the lifeline that connects visitors to the stunning vistas, unique wildlife, and quaint communities of Big Sur. With each closure, local businesses suffer, from charming bed-and-breakfasts to restaurants and outdoor adventure companies. The economic ripple effects extend far beyond the immediate area, impacting the broader Central Coast region.
Keep reading...Show less
Newsletter
California's Highway 1 faces increasing threats
Big Sur's scenic Highway 1 is under constant threat from landslides and erosion, exacerbated by climate change.
Melina Mara, Scott Dance, and Brianna Sacks report for The Washington Post.
In short:
- Highway 1, vital for California's tourism, suffers from geological instability and frequent landslides, with recent damages escalating repair costs.
- Efforts to stabilize the highway include rock drilling and advanced sensing technologies, though new slides often outpace repairs.
- Proposals to reroute the highway or abandon parts face resistance due to the road's cultural and economic significance.
Key quote:
“It’s as if that area went through a blender.”
— Jon Warrick, research geologist for the U.S. Geological Survey
Why this matters:
The ongoing battle to keep Highway 1 open isn’t just a matter of convenience; there are significant economic and social implications. The road closures that often follow landslides disrupt life in the area, impacting everything from emergency services and tourism to local businesses and the daily commute for residents. In addition, these disruptions pose a considerable challenge for conservation efforts and the management of natural resources, as access is critical for both managing and studying sensitive environments.
Climate change is not something to ignore: Eighth graders reflect on the state of the planet.
Keep reading...Show less
Newsletter
Credit: gtrmtt84/Big Stock Photo
Climate change alters life at Amazon's edge
In Brazil's Bailique Archipelago, rising ocean levels and river changes disrupt local life.
In short:
- Climate change and human activities are causing longer periods of salty water in Bailique, affecting the local economy and ecosystem.
- The region faces severe erosion, with landslides threatening homes and açaí palm trees, a key economic resource.
- Government efforts to address these challenges have been inadequate, leading to a decline in the population and worsening living conditions.
Key quote:
"It seems that nature is revolting, angry with us. I’ve been reading nature since I was a child, but I am no longer able to decipher it."
— Aurélio Marques, local boat pilot
Why this matters:
As sea levels rise, saltwater seeps into freshwater ecosystems, drastically altering the habitat. This intrusion not only affects the local flora and fauna but also the livelihoods of the inhabitants who depend on these ecosystems. Adaptations to sea level rise come with their own set of challenges and are often a testament to the resilience of these communities in the face of environmental change.
If put under the kind of environmental stress increasingly seen on our planet, large ecosystems —such as the Amazon rainforest or the Caribbean coral reefs—could collapse in just a few decades.
Keep reading...Show less
Climate change in India: A growing environmental crisis
As torrential rains cause flash floods and landslides in India, the country grapples with an environmental crisis. The heavy rain comes after an unbearable heat wave. Murali Krishnan writes from New Delhi for Deutsche Welle (DW).
In a nutshell:
India is a country of extremes. Extreme topography from the Himalayas to the Indian Ocean. Extreme heat this past June that drove temperatures as high as 45 degrees Celsius (113 F) and caused no end of misery, most especially among those without the means to cool themselves. Now comes extreme rainfall—monsoons on steroids—bringing landslides and flash floods, death and destruction, ruination, extreme misery.
Key quote:
"South Asia has become the poster child of climate change. The entire region, not just India, is witnessing a clear trend in rising heat waves, floods, landslides, droughts and cyclones. This is already affecting the food, water and energy security of the region."
Big picture:
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has long been criticized for his fierce protection of India's coal industry, going so far as to unleash tax raids on coal critics. Modi's climate policy and has generally favored a relaxed timeline for winding down greenhouse gas emissions, vowing to reach net zero a comfortable 50 years from now without offering a realistic plan for getting there. Meanwhile, the latest UN assessment differs starkly from the current priorities of the Modi government and warns of imminent catastrophe without drastic emissions cuts before 2030.
Read the full story from Deutsche Welle (DW).
Keep reading...Show less
ORIGINAL REPORTING
MOST POPULAR
CLIMATE
