Simple Scaling of Catastrophic Landslide Dynamics

Bringing Down Landslides Measuring landslide mechanics remotely, like seismic networks are used to quantify and locate earthquakes, would provide valuable information to understand these often catastrophic and costly natural hazards. Ekström and Stark (p. 1416 ; see the Perspective by Petley ) analyzed global seismic network data using a method that identifies long-period events not recorded by traditional monitoring networks. The global seismic network was able to record landslide events and quantify dynamic properties—including duration, total mass, and direction of debris flow. The analysis located and quantified a series of seven previously undocumented massive landslides associated with the Siachen Glacier in the Himalayas.