12 February 2010
Maps of global fatal landslides
Posted by Dave Petley
NB there is an alaysis of the data in thiese maps in this post:
http://daveslandslideblog.blogspot.com/2010/02/analysis-of-fatal-landslides-in-asia.html
I have recently worked up two new maps of the distribution of fatal landslides, based upon the fatal landslide database that I maintain. This first map shows the global distribution of non-seismic landslides for the period 2006-2008. Each dot represents a single fatal landslide. The colours indicate the year:
Red = 2008
Blue = 2007
Green = 2006
The background image is the ETOPO digital elevation model, with the darker colours indicating higher ground (click on the image for a better view in a new window):
There are a whole host of interesting aspects of this map. First, note the clustering of the landslides in areas that are tectonically-active (e.g. Western S. America, the Himalayas, Indonesia, etc). Second, note how the patterns change from year to year (e.g. take a look at the south coast of China – this is related to typhoon landfalls). Finally, note that the vast majority of recorded fatal landslides occur in Asia. This is shown better by the second map, for Asia only:
Please feel free to use the information and figures on websites, reports, theses etc, but please reference this as follows:
Petley, D.N. 2010. An analysis of fatal landslides in the Asia-Pacific region for 2006 to 2008. Dave’s Landslide Blog URL: http://daveslandslideblog.blogspot.com/2010/02/analysis-of-fatal-landslides-in-asia.html

Dave Petley is the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Hull in the United Kingdom. His blog provides commentary and analysis of landslide events occurring worldwide, including the landslides themselves, latest research, and conferences and meetings.
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