Learning from Landslides

The Kentucky Geological Survey is compiling a landslide inventory database to document the distribution and geological characteristics of landslides across Kentucky state and to provide easy access to the information.  The database is similar to several others competed as part of a Landslide Inventory Pilot Project by the United States Geological Survey (USGS).  

The Kentucky Geological Survey is compiling a landslide inventory database to document the distribution and geological characteristics of landslides across Kentucky state and to provide easy access to the information.  The database is similar to several others competed as part of a Landslide Inventory Pilot Project by the United States Geological Survey (USGS). 

The database is being used to create an online landslide information map.  The database documents landslides using geographic information system (GIS) layers including topography, topography with a hillshade feature, and an aerial layer.  The database can be found at kgs.uky.edu.  Each landslide event is classified and documents the county, coordinates, type of failure, and failure year, among other available relevant information.  Most states surveys are available in a non-digital nature, and one of the challenges facing USGS in this pilot project is providing a forum for the information that is readily available. Hard copy reports and maps must be scanned and successfully categorized within the GIS layer format.  

More information on the Landslide Inventory Pilot Project can be found at landslides.usgs.gov.