Enhancing Landslide Preparedness for Disaster Prevention

1. Natural Hazards Science – Reducing the World’s Risk Landslide Preparedness for Disaster Prevention International Consortium on Landslides Dr. P. Patrick Leahy Acting Director U.S. Geological Survey October 13, 2005 U.S. Department of the Interior U.S. Geological Survey

2. The Need for Natural Hazard Preparedness • Natural disasters afflict all regions of the world. • Recent Natural Hazards: Pakistan; Indian Ocean; Rita; Katrina; Landslides in California; Mount St. Helens. • Improved global disaster reduction and warning is a shared, global need. • Over the decade 1990-1999, disasters killed 500,000 people and caused $750 billion of damage, according to data in the, “Living with Risk” report of the UN International Strategy for Disaster Reduction.

3. The Role of U.S. Geological Survey • Mission: The USGS serves the nation by providing reliable scientific information to • describe and understand the Earth; • minimize loss of life and property from natural disasters; • manage water, biological, energy, and mineral resources; • and enhance and protect our quality of life. • USGS has the lead federal responsibility to provide warnings for landslides, earthquakes, and volcanoes.

4. USGS Focus on Natural Hazards Science • The scientific community has to make more compelling arguments ahead natural disasters to ensure the importance of science is acknowledged as a primary tool to mitigate damage. • USGS Hazards Focus: Landslides, earthquakes, floods, hurricanes, tsunamis, volcanoes, and wildfires.

5. USGS National Landslide Hazards Program • Strives to reduce loss of life and property to landslide hazards through improved understanding an effective mitigation; • USGS National Landslide Information Center (http://landslides.usgs.gov/ ); • Develop improved approaches for landslide hazard assessments; • Post-disaster response; • Public Information and outreach.

6. National Landslide Hazard Mitigation Strategy • Framework for Reducing Losses • Research • Hazard Mapping and Assessments • Real-Time Monitoring • Loss Assessment • Public Awareness and Education • Preparedness, Response, and Recovery

7. Landslide Planning Advisory Guide • American Planning Association and U.S. Geological Survey launching guide today; • Landslide planning guide for the 30,000 U.S. city planners nationwide; • Basic information on landslides, how to evaluate landslide potential for an area, and long-term and new-development planning; • Recommendations for partnerships with the private sector.

8. NOAA-USGS Flash Flood and Debris Flow Warning System Pilot Project • Southern California pilot project; • Improve forecasts after recent wildfires; • Warn public and alert emergency managers; • Site-specific Outlook Maps of at-risk areas; • Watches and Warnings; • NOAA-USGS Debris Flow Warning System report (http://pubs.usgs.gov/circ/2005/1283/)

9. Relationship of Landslides with Other Natural Hazards • Flooding • Tsunamis • Hurricanes and Storm Surges • Volcanic Activity • Earthquakes

10. Future Landslide Science Endeavors • Forecast • Improve and Expand Monitoring • Early Warning

11. Natural Hazards Science – A Matter of Worldwide Public Safety If we can use science to help save lives and minimize the damage caused by natural hazards, the USGS will have achieved an enormous goal – helping to prevent natural hazards from becoming disasters and helping to build safer, more resilient communities worldwide.