Ger Homeowners Guide Landslides
Ger Homeowners Guide Landslides
Ger Homeowners Guide Landslides
A Homeowner’s
Guide to Landslides
for Washington and Oregon
Oregon Department of
Geology and Mineral
Industries
WHAT IS A L ANDSLIDE?
sew wate
er l r line
ine
www.dnr.wa.gov/geology
Common Landslide Types 3
www.oregongeology.org
4 Triggers
LANDSLIDES
HAPPEN IN AREAS
WITH STEEP SLOPES,
AND ARE TYPICALLY
TRIGGERED BY
EVENTS LIKE THESE
N BE LOW BLUFFS
A M EROSI O
R E
E O R ST
WA V
EA
RT
HQ
UAKE
S
www.dnr.wa.gov/geology
Triggers 5
saturated
soil
INTENSE OR PROLONGED
R AINFALL AND (OR)
R APID SNOWMELT
overwatering
runoff
HUMAN ACTIVITIES
www.oregongeology.org
6 Landslides in the Landscape
●● Cracks in soil
●● Tilted or bent trees
●● Increased spring activity or newly wet ground
●● Hummocky or uneven terrain
●● Sagging or taut utility lines
●● Sunken or broken road beds
●● Movement of soil away from foundations
●● Leaking or broken water pipes
tilted and
pistol-butted
trees
new hummocky
spring topography
or sunken or
seep broken road
SLI
DE
PL A N
IF YOU SUSPECT ACTIVE E
LANDSLIDE MOVEMENT:
EVACUATE AND CONTACT YOUR LOCAL FIRE,
POLICE, EMERGENCY MANAGER, OR
PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT
www.dnr.wa.gov/geology
Landslides in the Landscape 7
cracks
in soil
newly
forming
headscarp
mid-slope
benches
wet slopes
or
springs
GROUND
CRACKING
www.oregongeology.org
8 The Role of Water
Dry soil
grains touch,
increasing soil
strength
Wet soil
grains pushed apart
reducing soil strength
e
t iv
n a
REDUCE WATER ON SLOPES:
www.dnr.wa.gov/geology
Trees and Plants 9
MAINTAIN A
BUFFER OF NATIVE
PLANTS BETWEEN
www.oregongeology.org
10 Reduce Your Risk
www.dnr.wa.gov/geology
Property Checklist 11
͌͌Cracks in walls
͌͌Nails popping out of walls
͌͌Bulging walls
͌͌Separation of chimney from walls
͌͌Creaking/popping noises
͌͌Light switches coming out of walls
͌͌Doors/windows hard to shut
͌͌Twisted beams
͌͌Cracks in floors
͌͌Water seeping into basement
gre
en
͌͌Cracks in sidewalks or foundation t re
es
͌͌Stretched or leaning utility lines
●● Evacuate
●● Contact your local f ire, police,
emergency manager, or public works
department
●● Contact a licensed professional
http://www.dnr.wa.gov/
L ANDSLIDE RESOURCES
programs-and-services/
OREGON DEPARTMENT
geology/geologic-hazards/ WASHINGTON
OF GEOLOGY AND landslides GEOLOGICAL SURVEY
MINER AL INDUSTRIES Washington Geologic Information Portal
SLIDO Landslide Information Database www.dnr.wa.gov/geologyportal
www.oregongeology.org/sub/slido
Oregon Department
of Geology and
Mineral Industries
This pamphlet offers some general guidance a homeower should consider regarding their home and property. Landslide
conditions vary from site to site—if you are concerned about your property, it is always best to consult a professional.