How useful is landslide hazard information? Lessons learned in the San Francisco Bay region

David G. Howell; Earl E. Brabb; David W. Ramsey

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USGS · 70073385

How useful is landslide hazard information? Lessons learned in the San Francisco Bay region

David G. Howell·Earl E. Brabb·David W. Ramsey

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Abstract

Landslides, worldwide and in the United States, are arguably the most costly natural hazard. Substantial landslide information is available, but much of it remains underutilized, as a disconnect exists among geologists, decision makers, and the public. The lack of a national landslide insurance policy exacerbates this situation and promotes litigation as the principal recourse for recouping landslide-damage losses. The U.S. Geological Survey's landslide investigation in the San Francisco Bay region of California provides a context for making suggestions on how Earth science information could be used more effectively.

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Source-reported bounding extent: 36.7353° to 38.8172° latitude; -123.6691° to -121.3087° longitude. This indicates report coverage, not an exact sampling location. View area on OpenStreetMap.

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David G. Howell, Earl E. Brabb, David W. Ramsey. 2000. How useful is landslide hazard information? Lessons learned in the San Francisco Bay region. https://pubs.usgs.gov/publication/70073385

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