Improving Landslide Prediction Will Boost Transportation Resilience
Posted: Aug 4, 2023
Researchers at Colorado State University are developing improved computer models to better predict precipitation-induced landslides, particularly those in mountainous areas, which can pose risks to property and infrastructure such as roads and bridges and result in injuries and deaths. New modeling techniques significantly improved predictions over previous models. The researchers also found that most predicted landslides occurred on south-facing slopes where trees are less abundant. After incorporating climate change, the model predicts an increase in the areas susceptible to landslides and a shift to more instability on north-facing slopes.
Researchers at Colorado State University are developing improved computer models to better predict precipitation-induced landslides, particularly those in mountainous areas, which can pose risks to property and infrastructure such as roads and bridges and result in injuries and deaths. New modeling techniques significantly improved predictions over previous models. The researchers also found that most predicted landslides occurred on south-facing slopes where trees are less abundant. After incorporating climate change, the model predicts an increase in the areas susceptible to landslides and a shift to more instability on north-facing slopes.