A recent analysis by NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) has revealed that landslides in Southern California have expanded significantly, putting human life and infrastructure at risk. The study used data from four flights of the Uninhabited Aerial Vehicle Synthetic Aperture Radar (UAVSAR) instrument to estimate the speed and direction of the landslides.
According to JPL landslide scientist Alexander Handwerger, “the footprint of land experiencing significant impacts has expanded, and the speed is more than enough to put human life and infrastructure at risk.” The study found that parts of the peninsula have been part of an ancient complex of landslides moving for at least six decades, affecting hundreds of buildings in local communities.
The motion accelerated following record-breaking rainfall in Southern California in 2023 and heavy precipitation in early 2024. NASA shared the data with state officials to help them respond to the landslides. The information is now available to the public and can be found online.
A buildup of vegetation between 2022 and 2024, followed by dry conditions, created a “giant tinderbox” in Los Angeles County, according to researchers at the University of California, Los Angeles. Heavy rainfall in previous years, including nearly twice the average in downtown L.A., also contributed to the increased risk.
The study’s findings highlight the urgent need for continued monitoring and preparedness measures to mitigate the impact of landslides on communities and infrastructure.
Source: https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/international/global-trends/nasa-radar-imagery-reveals-how-los-angeles-landslides-accelerated-due-to-rain/articleshow/117829752.cms?from=mdr