NASA radar data shows that landslide speeds along the Palos Verdes Peninsula in southern Los Angeles are increasing, threatening hundreds of structures.
Data from NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory The topography of the peninsula shifted at a speed of 4 inches a week after heavy rains in 2024.
The area, about 25 miles south of downtown Los Angeles, was home to historic landslides, but weather events after the remnants of Hurricane Hillary in the summer of 2023 have affected the area and have made its way into the area a move. It accelerated.
The area was in an emergency after record rains in 2024.
Some homes are split into two, but other residents are departing the area permanently, fearing further movements on the terrain.
NASA says it was able to use unmanned aerial synthetic aperture radars mounted on the Gulf III jet to construct a dramatic visualization of affected areas.
After a series of passes, experts created a map depicting the speed at which the soil beneath the Palos Verdes Peninsula moves, adding arrows to emphasize the direction of movement.
“In reality, we believe that the footprint of land experiencing significant impacts is expanding, and speed is more than enough to put human life and infrastructure at risk,” said the JPL landslide scientist who conducted the analysis. Alexander Handwager said. statement.
According to US Geological Survey, landslides are considered to be a type of “mass waste,” where soil and rocks are at the mercy of gravity.
Landslides are usually initiated by rainfall, thawing, erosion, earthquakes, volcanic eruptions and human activity.
In the West, Oregon, Washington, California and Idaho are the largest vulnerable from landslides, causing billions of dollars in damage each year.
Insurance Information Institute reminds homeowners that, like earthquakes, damage from landslides is excluded from standard insurance contracts.
In response to the developments, the City of Rancho Palos Verdes, the Federal Emergency Management Agency, and the Office of Emergency Services, the California Governor's Office, announced a $42 million acquisition program for property owners in 2024.
“The JPL radar image strongly visualizes this dramatic acceleration and expansion of the landslide area in September and October 2024, but the city is hoping to see a deep dewatering experience with dry landslide conditions and extremely productive weather conditions. With the establishment of well cities, you will notice that landslides have slowed since October,” said Rancho Palos Verdes. “The city hopes that this trend will be retained in dehydration and winterization measures and continues to encourage state and federal agencies to support these efforts financially.”
