Landslides: Extent and economic significance in the United States

Landslides occur in every state of the nation and its island territories (Guam, Puerto Rico, Virgin Islands, and Samoa). They have damaged or destroyed roads, railroads, pipelines, electrical and telephone transmission lines, mining facilities, petroleum wells and production facilities, houses, commercial buildings, canals, sewers, bridges, dams, reservoirs, port facilities, airports, forests, fisheries, parks, recreation areas, and farms. Much landslide damage goes undocumented because it is considered instead with its triggering event, and thus is included in reports of floods, earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, hurricanes, or coastal storms, even though damage from the landsliding may exceed all other costs.…