NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory has discovered concerning details about the ongoing landslides in the Los Angeles area using advanced airborne radar imaging. The findings reveal that some regions are shifting at an alarming rate of up to 4 inches per week, significantly expanding the footprint of affected areas.
The study focused on the Palos Verdes Peninsula, where land movement worsened due to back-to-back years of record-breaking rainfall in 2023 and early 2024. The increasing movement of land raises serious concerns for local communities, infrastructure, and emergency preparedness efforts.
To track these shifting landscapes, NASA deployed Uninhabited Aerial Vehicle Synthetic Aperture Radar (UAVSAR) over the Palos Verdes Peninsula between September and October 2024. This technology allowed scientists to capture detailed images of ground displacement, identifying patterns of movement that would otherwise be invisible to the human eye.
The radar analysis confirmed that certain areas of the Palos Verdes Peninsula are shifting at rates of up to 4 inches per week, making this one of the most active landslide zones in California. The data suggests that increased precipitation in recent years may have triggered further instability, accelerating the motion of land that has been shifting for decades.
The study’s findings have been visualized in color-coded maps, where darker red hues indicate faster-moving terrain. These resources are critical for identifying high-risk areas and planning mitigation strategies before further damage occurs.
Experts now believe that coastal erosion, seismic activity, and extreme weather patterns are working together to accelerate these shifts. If current trends continue, portions of the Palos Verdes Peninsula could experience even more significant displacement, putting more structures and roadways at risk.
NASA plans to use its radar study as a starting point for long-term monitoring of landslide activity in California. The agency aims to expand UAVSAR flights over more regions with known landslide risks, enhance early warning systems for residents, develop more accurate models for predicting future ground shifts, and collaborate with state and federal agencies to implement new safety measures.
The findings from this study serve as a wake-up call, reminding us that the ground beneath our feet is not as stable as we might think. Understanding the rate, direction, and causes of these shifting landscapes is critical for preventing future disasters.
Source: https://dailygalaxy.com/2025/02/nasa-expanding-landslides-los-angeles