http://www.montrealgazette.com/news/Landslides+bury+vehicles+follow...

http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/front/archives/2013/08/22/2003570278

Trami brings heavy rain, landslides

Heavy rainfall brought by Tropical Storm Trami disrupted transportation systems yesterday, causing hundreds of people to evacuate their homes and triggering landslides in some parts of northern Taiwan.

The Central Weather Bureau (CWB) warned that Trami could bring a massive amount of rain to the mountainous areas in central Taiwan, including those in Greater Taichung, and Nantou and Chiayi counties. Each area could see accumulated rainfall of more than 1,100mm (43 inches). An equal amount of rain could also fall in the mountainous areas of Greater Kaohsiung and Hsinchu, Miaoli and Pingtung counties.

The bureau also warned that the storm could produce “cloudbursts” — more than 100mm (4 inches) of rain per hour — in some areas.

http://english.peopledaily.com.cn/102774/8378211.html

Hospital hit by landslide in SW China (2)

Part of the hospital is damaged by the landslide in Yiliang County, southwest China's Yunnan Province, Aug. 26, 2013. A landslide occurred on Monday morning at a hill behind the People's Hospital in Yilang, which damaged part of the hospital. Patients and residents in the surrounding area were evacuated and no casualties were reported. (Xinhua/Peng Hong)

Hunting Landslides with Landsat [Earth Observatory: 30 August 2013]

If a landslide occurs in a remote mountain range but nobody sees or hears it, does it matter? Unequivocally yes, says Columbia University geophysicist and landslide specialist Colin Stark. Even when they occur in remote areas, large landslides can dam rivers and lead to devastating downstream floods.“It’s especially critical that we monitor ‘catastrophic’ landslides—fast-moving slides that involve more than a million tons of debris,” Stark says. “These are the most dangerous landslides, but they often go undetected.”

Stark is working to change that. Along with colleague Göran Ekström, he has pioneered a new method to detect landslides by analyzing seismic waves—the vibrations that radiate through Earth’s crust because of sudden movements of rock, ice, magma, or debris. Stark and his colleagues used the technique to locate the landslide shown in the satellite images above.

Automated earthquake detection systems are tuned to monitor intense, “short-period” waves produced by sudden slips along tectonic faults. Landslides produce seismic waves as well, though their short-period signal is weak. Instead, they make powerful long-period waves that are sometimes detectable at great distances.

Stark and Ekström are developing a computer algorithm to scan seismographic data specifically for the long-period waves associated with landslides. They started by applying their technique to historical data. As the pair detailed in a study published in Science, their approach detected about ten large landslides that occurred between 1980 and 2012 that did not register on standard earthquake-monitoring systems.

In July 2013, Stark and Ekström had an opportunity to test their technique in real time. On July 25, one of Stark’s colleagues, Clément Hibert, noted a possible landslide event in southeastern Alaska. Stark’s initial analysis of the seismic data suggested the slide occurred in eastern Alaska and had a mass of about 20 metric tons (44,000 pounds). However, seismic data alone could not tell the researchers exactly where the slide had occurred, only that it happened within a 25 square-kilometer (10 square-mile) area in the Wrangell Mountains.

That’s where satellites proved critical. When Stark informed the NASA Earth Observatory about the possibility of a slide, EO staff checked the imagery acquired by the Operational Land Imager (OLI) on NASA’s Landsat 8 satellite. Within a few days, they located the slide.

The landslide occurred in Wrangell-St. Elias National Park at 61.978° North latitude and 143.168° West longitude. Since the landslide is difficult to make out in the true-color OLI image below, the location has been highlighted in yellow. Click on the image to see how the landslide looks without yellow highlighting.

See also; 

http://poleshift.ning.com/profiles/blogs/smoldering-mountaintop-in-...

Landslide Resembling Waterfall Buries Highway in S. China (Aug 29)

Although blamed on rain, this looks more like a cascade of dry dirt and rock.

"The traffic in the Du'an City section of the national Highway 210 in south China's Guangxi region was completely handicapped by a landslide.

At the section in Jiangcheng Village, Gaoling Town, the mud and rocks covered the highway for dozens of meters. No vehicles or people were hit.

The stranded vehicles stretched for around three kilometers, as the section is one of the most important roads connecting Guangxi and southwest China. The landslide site was cordoned off dozens of meters away, banning entry.

http://www.ksdk.com/news/article/395429/28/Landslide-cripples-highw...

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2406871/Landslide-Huge-clif...

Landslide! Huge cliff collapse caught on camera just half a mile from seaside town

• Chunk of cliff falls 200ft and crashes into sea near Sidmouth, Devon
  
• Local residents say cloud of red dust covered town afterwards
• Area is prone to rockfalls but they are usually less dramatic

By Jennifer Smith

PUBLISHED: 13:49 GMT, 30 August 2013 | UPDATED: 13:49 GMT, 30 August 2013

A huge section of cliff crashed into the sea at a popular resort, covering holidaymakers and residents in a cloud of red dust.

The rose-coloured rocks fell 200ft after the massive landslide, half-a-mile from the town of Sidmouth in Devon.

The area on the Devon coast is prone to landslides, with some residents worrying their homes will soon be next.

Holidaymakers and residents were shocked to see the rock falling from the cliff and into the sea

Locals first knew of Wednesday's landslide when they heard a massive rumbling sound coming from the cliff face.

They looked up to see a huge chunk of rock plunging into the sea while throwing up a towering dust cloud.

The slip occurred near properties at the notoriously unstable Pennington Point, where homes edge ever closer to the sea with each collapse.

Richard Thurlow, chairman of campaign group Save Our Sidmouth, said: 'It was a fairly major one, quite immense.

The red dust which was sprayed from the cliff covered local properties and eroded residents' gardens

'Outside my home, which is half a mile away, a fine red dust was deposited on all the flat surfaces

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-09-01/taiwan-boulder-car-video-land...

Massive boulder narrowly misses car during landslide in Taiwan

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8wWuH7MIeCA

A driver has narrowly escaped being crushed beneath a massive boulder that tumbled across a road in Taiwan during a landslide.

A camera mounted on the dashboard of a second vehicle travelling behind the car captured the dramatic moment when the landslide hit the road and the boulder, several times the car's size, crashed down, stopping within metres.

Heavy rain has triggered a series of mudslides across Taiwan.

The near-miss took place on the island in Keelung City.

Rocks began shifting at the top of a hillside, and the video - posted on YouTube - shows the drivers below apparently oblivious to the danger until debris started raining down.

Elsewhere, 19 people were injured in a train derailment.

http://www.himvani.com/news/2013/08/29/devastating-landslide-tirah-...

Devastating landslide at Tirah Lines – Dharamshala

August 29, 2013

Ffifteen army houses were razed to ground and over a dozen houses were badly damaged as a massive landslide struck the area. The houses were mainly of ex-servicemen. The incident took place at Tirah Lines which is almost 5 kms from Dharamshala.

There was no loss of life as people moved to safer places as soon as they got to know about this. The news went viral. In no time army reached the place and helped the victims. Mrs. Parvati, a resident of the place said, “Army men followed by Himachal police, home-guards, people from taxi stand and nearby areas helped us in tough times”.

The place was later visited by Mr. Sudhir Sharma, who overlooked the situation and promised to help the victims. At that time, victims were residing in tents in army area. But now, government has provided them with apartments in I&PH colony at Darnu, which is few kilometers from Dharamshala. This accommodation is provided to them for the next one year. The Government also promised to provide all the families with a monetary compensation of Rs. 3 lakhs and land in Molly, Khanyara.

The victims are trying hard to get back on track, but are still facing some problems. There are nearly two families residing in each apartment which is provided by the government. They are also facing problems to cook food for themselves because of shared kitchens. Mr. S.R. Thapa says, “Many of our belongings are still lying at our damaged houses, and we can not even bring it because the accommodation is very small”. Though transportation facility was provided to them to move to other place, still they could not bring all of their things.

On the whole the victims are happy with the help provided by the government and the local masses.They are hopeful that the government will fulfill its promises.

http://ibnlive.in.com/news/massive-landslide-in-arunachal-due-to-ra...

Massive Landslide in Arunachal India

September 8, 2013

With improvement in the weather, the water level of major rivers in Eastern Arunachal showed a receding trend even as West and Upper Siang districts in the state remained cut off due to massive landslides triggered by torrential rain. Chief Minister Nabam Tuki on Saturday undertook an aerial survey of the affected areas accompanied by Chief Secretary Hari Krishna and Secretary, Disaster Management, Kapa Kholie, officials said on Sunday. Reports had poured in of the Noa Dihing River rising over danger level and inundating portions of Dumpani and four other villages under Diyun circle in Changlang district. Massive landslide in Arunachal due to rainfall, 2 districts remain cut off At least 13,246 people of eleven villages have been affected by the current wave of flood. Landing at Diyun, Tuki took first hand report of the situation from local Legislator C C Singpho and officials of the district administration, sources said. The swollen river has triggered landslides in at least seven villages while about 85 hectares have been submerged in five villages, they said. Another five villages are under danger of being affected if the river continued to be in spate or proper preventive measures are not taken up immediately, sources said. To a plea for adequate fund to tackle the situation urgently, the chief minister announced an amount of Rs 2.5 crore for emergency protection works, particularly at Dumpani village, and directed Secretary, Disaster Management, to release the same to the district administration by Monday. Meanwhile, the district administration has provided 10,000 gunny bags to villagers for erection of temporary embankments/bunds at vulnerable locations. At least ten families living near the river bank have been directed to shift to safer locations and necessary assistance is being provided to them for relocation. The chief minister also took an aerial survey of all affected areas at Namsai, Chowkham, Mahadevpur and Tezu in Lohit district, Roing and Dambuk in Lower Dibang Valley and Mebo and Pasighat areas in East Siang district. At Pasighat, he was apprised of the flood situation by the district administration officials. The rising waters of Siang River have been causing concern for the people of the area and an alert has been sounded by the administration. An official of the Border Road Organization assured Tuki that the eroded approach to Siku Bridge on NH 52 between Pasighat and Mebo would be restored soon. While appealing to the people to remain vigilant, Tuki requested the Union Home Ministry to send a team to survey and assess the damages caused due to the flash floods. He also directed the district administrations to keep in stock enough ration items and medicines besides keeping men and machinery ready to tackle any eventuality

Number of landslides hitting Britain up fivefold in a year:

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2418047/Number-landslides-h...

Fewer than 60 landslides are reported on an average year, according to the British Geological Survey (BGS), but in 2012 there were 176.

In December 2012 alone there were 75 incidents, and the phenomenon continued into 2013, with 56 occurring in January.

Scientists found that in the 12 months following June 2012, there were five times the average incidents.

Penang Hill, Penang Malaysia

By CHONG KAH YUAN and LOGEISWARY THEVADASS
newsdesk@thestar.com.my

A bird’s eye view of a hill slope where soil erosion had occurred at Solok Tanjung Bungah.

“GEORGE TOWN: At least 13 locations in and around Penang Hill were hit by landslides following several days of downpour.

Bukit Bendera MP Zairil Khir Johari said soil erosion had occurred on several areas along the jeep trail, causing trees to be uprooted.

“Fortunately, there were no casualties. We advise the public to practise extreme caution when within the affected areas.

“The road at KM2.1 is intact and vehicles can pass through. However, half the road at KM4 has been damaged,” he said.

Zairil added that repair works would take about four months because of logistical problems.

“This problem has also resulted in the cost of the remedial works to escalate to RM1mil for each location,” he said. Zairil added that the area along KM2.5 had been cordoned off for safety reasons.

“Kebun Bunga assemblyman Cheah Kah Peng said the landslide was first detected on Sunday, but three major ones happened on Wednesday and Thursday.

“We will soon arrange a meeting with the residents and hikers who frequent KM2.5 (popularly known as Point 84) where there is a rest area,” said Cheah.

Meanwhile, residents in Tanjung Bungah are worried for their safety after several landslides also occurred there at around 11pm on Thursday.

A resident from a condominium, who was taking his usual morning walk in Solok Tanjung Bungah, said mounds of earth and a big boulder crashed down from the hill on Wednesday morning.

Another landslide occurred the following day.”

http://www.thestar.com.my/News/Nation/2013/09/14/Penang-Hill-hit-by...

27.09.30. Landslide, dozens of cracks and geological fault one kilometer long appeared in Rosario Ibarra, Chilpancingo, México. Residents said they heard a loud subterranean thunder, so some people have left their homes.

http://es-us.noticias.yahoo.com/fotos/lluvias-abren-enormes-grietas...

23.09.13. In Bocas cracks affected five communities, houses of 150 families are in danger of collapse.

http://pulsoslp.com.mx/2013/09/23/en-riesgo-150-familias-por-grietas/

23.09.13. Landslide in Zacapoaxtla, Puebla

http://municipiospuebla.com.mx/nota/2013-09-23/zacapoaxtla/construi...

25.09.13. Cracks in the Santa Gertrudis. Amira Ramos, a resident of the city said, that "obviously, we have more than 30 days from the aftershocks, recently we have up to 40 aftershocks within 24 hours, we did not sleep ...".

http://noticiasdechihuahua.com.mx/noticias-de-chihuahua-la-voz-cuah...

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2439778/5-hikers-killed-Col...

Five hikers killed after rock slide buries them under boulders 'half the size of cars'

• Five hikers buried and then declared dead Monday morning on popular hiking trail
• 13-year-old girl is lone survivor and was flown to a Denver hospital
• Heavy rains may have contributed to the rock slide

By Michael Zennie

PUBLISHED: 01:10 GMT, 1 October 2013 | UPDATED: 02:03 GMT, 1 October 2013

Five hikers in Colorado have been killed after a rock slide buried them under boulders 'half the size of cars' on a popular trail.

A 13-year-old girl is the lone survivor from group. She was rescued from the debris field and flown to the Children's Hospital of Denver.

The hikers were buried Monday morning on a short mile-and-a-half trail at Agnes Vaille Falls near Mount Princeton - 130 miles southwest of Denver.

Rescuers: One 13-year-old girl was flown to a hospital after being pulled from the rubble. Her condition is not known

Trapped: Five hikers are buried beneath untold tons of rock and rubble Monday night and rescuers are afraid even more could come down on them if they stay at the site

the rock slide victims in Colorado were all one family

http://www.cnn.com/video/data/2.0/video/bestoftv/2013/10/02/colorad...

Hundreds of landslides recorded in Chin State [Chinland Guardian; 7 October, 2013; Written by  Thawng Zel Thang]

Landslides in Falam Township, Chin State (Photo: Falam Thuthang)

07 October 2013: At least 768 landslides occurred across Chin State between 21 August and 11 September 2013, according to the Chin State government's statistics.

The Ministry of Transport said that its record showed the number of landslides happening only on roads constructed by the government, not by local communities.

It added that the number also included minor incidents that didn't block or completely destroy the roads but posed risks to future landslides.

Ngun San Aung, Minister for Transport, said in the Chinland Post: "The cost of repair and maintenance is estimated to be high. But its details can be revealed at the end of the year."

According to the Chinland Post, the highest number of landslides had been recorded on the Mindat-Matupi road, followed by the Hakha-Falam-Kalay and the Tedim-Tonzang-Taingen.

In Chin State, most of the roads connecting villages are constructed and maintained by local communities with financial contributions from the Chin diaspora. The number of landslides occurring on such roads is, of course, unknown.#

Massive Landslide Creates Cliff Near Vancouver BC (Oct 13)

A landslide has closed down a popular hiking area near the University of British Columbia leaving behind a 600-foot-high cliff.

The slide happened Sunday afternoon in an area of Pacific Spirit Park commonly known as Trail 5, in between the university campus and the slopes that lead into the water below.

The RCMP says no one was hurt in the landslide near the University of British Columbia campus in Vancouver, but they're asking the public to stay clear of the area.

The Mounties say the scene is still an active slide area and has been barricaded to prevent people from accessing the site.

Police said it will work with the Greater Vancouver Regional District to block access to the area until a comprehensive analysis can be made and a permanent barrier put in place.

=============================================================================

2mm of rain measured in Vancouver BC in the 10 days prior to the event.

Sources

http://bc.ctvnews.ca/landslide-near-ubc-campus-leaves-sheer-cliff-n...

http://www.wunderground.com/history/airport/CYVR/2013/10/3/CustomHi...

http://www.theprovince.com/news/Serious+landslide+closes+Trail+Wrec...

Aerial images of the Izu-Oshima debris flows in Japan

Before:

And after:

http://blogs.agu.org/landslideblog/2013/10/19/aerial-images-of-izu-...

Video of the "End of the World" bluff collapsing along the Strait of Juan de Fuca west of Port Townsend, Washington., At about 6 p.m. Oct. 13, 2013 a section of the bluff just east of the old Army observation post fell. Port Townsend resident Kellie Henwood had just crossed an existing slide when a new landslide occurred.

Landslide Buries National Park Road in Alaska (Oct 23)
A massive landslide buried a 200-foot stretch of Denali National Park road in Alaska with tons of rock and soil.

The slide debris is piled in depths of up to 35 feet. Officials estimate about 30,000 yards of rock and soil fell from a point 500 feet above the road.

That part of the road, 37 miles in, is already closed this time of year. There are no known casualties.

The landslide was discovered Wednesday by road-crew supervisors. Officials believe the slide occurred very recently. Initial photos of the area show debris flowed over light snow that recently fell.

Longtime park workers recall that the last huge landslide occurred in the late 1980s. In that slide — 45 miles in — more roadway was covered, but a lot less debris fell, Fister said.

Source

http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2013/10/25/huge-landslide...

Landslides kill nine in PNG's Eastern Highlands http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-11-04/an-png-landslide-kills-9/5068314

India: Landslides hit train services
Hundreds of passengers were stranded in the Central Railway station here as heavy rains caused landslips between Kochuveli and Valiyasala.

This forced the authorities to cancel many trains.

Railway Sources said the tracks were expected to be cleared by noon today. A few train services would be operated from Kochuveli station.

http://www.netindia123.com/netindia/showdetails.asp?id=2283051&...

http://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2013/11/21/national/akita-landslid...

Akita landslide engulfs five road workers; one dead, the others missing

AFP-JIJI

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/nashik/Landslide-at-Kazigad...

Landslide at Kazigadi hillock destroys 24 houses

Sumita Sarkar & Santosh Sonawane, TNN | Nov 22, 2013, 05.01 AM IST

NASHIK: Residents of as many as 24 houses onthe Kazigadi hillock, overseeing the Godavari river in the old city area, had a narrow escape from a landslide late on Wednesday night. No casualties were reported as the residents, on the alert for the last two days, quickly moved out of their houses when the mud began to give away, fire department officials said.

Local NCP corporator Vinayak Khaire, representing ward number 29, said that for the last two days, the soil on the hillock, located at a height of 30 metres from the river, was giving way. "Around 11.30 pm, when the people on the hillock were still awake, the landslide occurred," he said.

Khaire added that as the houses collapsed one after the other, it gave residents sufficient time to move to safer places. The residents were shifted to the Sant Gadage Maharaj Dharamshala on Thursday morning, but they returned to the empty space on the hillock.

Municipal commissioner Sanjay Khandare said that the houses had come up on private land. "Initially there were few houses of asbestos, gradually their numbers increased and concrete houses started coming up," he said.

The fire brigade received the first call at 12.30 am on Thursday. Immediately, seven to eight fire tenders and a rescue van were rushed to the spot. Nearly 60 firemen were deployed in the rescue operations, evacuating residents from the other houses. Nashik Municipal Corporation employees were involved in clearing the debris till late Thursday evening.

NMC chief fire officer Anil Mahajan said, "When we reached there, residents had already moved to safety as they were aware of the mud sliding away for the last two days. The landslide destroyed 24 houses and additional 40-50 houses are in a dangerous position. We have to vacate at least 65 houses. We have marked a border line for the houses in danger. We will soon give notices to these residents to vacate."

"People are not ready to shift but considering their safety, we may have to forcibly shift them with the help of the police," Mahajan said.

Mahajan said that over 100 firemen along with 30 trainees began the disaster management from 12.30 am and it continued till 3.30 am. As many as 24 dumpers, two earthmovers, around 200 employees of all the departments of the NMC were involved in the rescue operations. He said that it would take at least three more days for the entire operation to be completed and a safety zone created.

"The actual shifting began from 8 am. We shifted them to Sant Gadage Maharaj Dharamshalabut they came back to the empty space near the old mosque just above the place of evacuation," he said.

The residents of the hillock demanded immediate construction of a retention wall, claiming that they were residing there for over 30 years. Khaire blamed the NMC for failing to build the retention wall, while local MP Sameer Bhujbal visited the spot and assured funds from the Centre for the construction of the wall. Political leaders, senior officials from the police department and the NMC visited the spot to take stock of the situation.

http://www.thanhniennews.com/index/pages/20131124-landslides-kill-3...

Landslide derails train in Iran

http://en.trend.az/regions/iran/2215734.html

Landslide damages railway in Iran

Landslide damages railway in Iran

27 November 2013, 13:23 (GMT+04:00)

Baku, Azerbaijan, Nov. 27

By Umid Niayesh - Trend: Landside damaged some 100 meters of Shirgah-Ghaemshahr railway in the Iranian northern province of Mazandaran, ISNA news agency reported on Nov. 27.

Six freight wagons derailed in the incident. No further details were available at the time of the landslide.

According to the latest reports, damages of the incidents have been fixed and railway has been reopened.

http://www.globaltimes.cn/content/828087.shtml

Landslide hits Manizales slum; at least 2 killed [Colombia Reports; 29 November, 2013]

A landslide that hit the slums of the western Colombian city of Manizales killed at least two people on Friday.

According to local rescue workers, the landslide occurred early Friday morning after hours of heavy rain.

The victims were inhabitants of six homes in the northern La Avanzada neighborhood that were buried as a result of the landslide.

Initially, local authorities feared for the lives of six people, but were able to lower that number after four missing persons were located.

Local fire department chief Mayor Carlos Alberto Marin told Caracol Radio that the road connecting the capital Bogota to Manizales was blocked because of the rains and landslides.

Landslides in common in the mountainous areas of Colombia during rainy season. The second rainy season of this year is expected to last until mid December.

Matelot residents marooned after landslides [103FM Radio; 28 November, 2013]

Some Matelot residents are at this time marooned due to a massive landslide along the roadway following persistent heavy rainfall.

According to Chairman of the Sangre Grande Regional Corporation Terry Rondon, the area between Gran Riviere and Matelot is covered with dirt and debris.

He laments that residents are helpless especially if they have to get in and out of their community.

Mr Rondon says while officials from the Works Ministry are on site, he claims they do not have proper equipment to clean-up the area.

Mr Rondon also told 103FM News that parts of the Manzanilla stretch are impassable due to flooding.

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-12-01/nine-killed-in-indonesian-lan...

Nine killed by landslide on Indonesia's Sumatra island

Posted 8 hours 16 minutes ago

Nine people were killed by a landslide on Indonesia's Sumatra island on Saturday, officials have confirmed.

"Heavy rains from Saturday evening till night triggered a landslide in the hilly area of Berastagi sub-district in North Sumatra," said Sutopo Purwo Nugroho, a spokesman for the National Disaster Mitigation Agency.

"Nine people were killed," he said, including four children aged between two and 10.

Local military official Meyer Putong, who was involved in rescue operations, said nobody was reported missing.

"They lived close to the river so the rush of rain water last night broke the riverbanks. The victims were either buried under their houses or swept by the surging waters," he added.

Indonesia is regularly affected by deadly floods and landslides during its wet season, which lasts for around six months.

Environmentalists blame logging and a failure to reforest denuded land for exacerbating flooding.

http://www.globalpost.com/dispatch/news/xinhua-news-agency/131205/l...

December 5, 2013 5:48am

Landslide kills 10 Chinese railway workers

LANZHOU, Dec. 5 (Xinhua) -- A landslide left ten people dead and 21 injured in northwest China's Gansu Province on Wednesday night, local authorities said on Thursday afternoon.

The landslide occurred around 8:30 p.m., burying workers' prefabricated houses in the city of Longnan, according to the provincial work safety authority.

The houses were in a residential area for workers digging a tunnel for the Lanzhou-Chongqing Railway.

The injured are being treated in a local hospital. Three are in serious condition.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2523067/Boulder-size-elepha...

Boulder the size of an elephant crushes entire house and instantly kills two inhabitants in Utah landslide

• Two storey wooden building was reduced to pile of splinters by huge rock
  
• It came rolling down a nearby valley after a landslide near Rockville, Ohio
  
• The unsuspecting victims were inside the property when it was flattened

By Aaron Sharp

PUBLISHED: 09:58 GMT, 13 December 2013 | UPDATED: 11:31 GMT, 13 December 2013

Two people have been killed after a rock slide sent a giant boulder rolling down a valley and onto the roof of their two storey home.

The house in Rockville, Utah, was completely demolished by the rock, which crushed the entire wooden structure of the building, leaving behind a scene of complete devastation.

When emergency services arrived at the scene, shortly after 5pm yesterday, they found the splintered remains of the home buried under the weight of the gigantic boulder which stood at a height of around 15ft.

Devastation: Two people were inside the house which was at the bottom of a steep incline close to one of the area's major highways

Tragic: Giant boulders almost as big as the building flattened the structure completely, leaving behind a pile crushed walls and windows

The town is located on the main highway through Zion National Park, NBC station KSL in Salt Lake City reported.

Rockville’s mayor, Dan McGuire, told local press that the earth close to the road gave way causing a landslide which carried tons of soil and rocks on to the home at the bottom of a steep incline.

McGuire said the house 'just flattened out' when the debris hit.

Emergency crews responded to the slide but their work has been hampered by the dangerous conditions overhead.

Rescue efforts were suspended until this morning because of dangerous conditions.

A similar incident in 2002 saw another home destroyed but no one was harmed.

Recovery: Emergency crews began working at the scene but were forced to call off their search due to the risk of further falling debris

Disaster scene: A family car can be seen parked outside the home in Rockville Utah. A similar incident crushed a home in 2002 but there were no fatalities

http://www.maannews.net/eng/ViewDetails.aspx?ID=656960

(MaanImages)

 

Roads and buildings damaged by landslide in southern Italy

04.12.13. Roads were ripped apart and some buildings collapsed in the town of Montescaglioso in the south of the country.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-25208090

http://www.wptv.com/dpp/news/world/video-landslide-in-brazil-caught...

Posted: 9:34 AM
Last Updated: 4 hours and 54 minutes ago

http://thepeninsulaqatar.com/news/latest-news/264996/six-die-in-bra...

Massive Landslide South of San Diego, Californiz

• Posted by Ann Eller on December 29, 2013 at 9:37am

Scenic toll road that connects Tijuana, Ensenada collapses

http://www.10news.com/news/scenic-toll-road-between-tijuana-ensenad...

Dundee Landslide Closes Streets, Over 100 Evacuated (Dec 30)
More than 100 people had to be evacuated from more than 40 flats after a major landslide caused a wall to collapse in Dundee.

Gardens and patios disappeared as tons of earth and rubble tumbled down from the rear of tenements in Gardner Street, crashing into flats below on Lochee Road.

A grassy area at the back of the homes was destroyed as a retaining wall disappeared at around 4pm yesterday, with earth and rubble strewn down around 50 metres of the slope and piling up against the Lochee Road flats.

No one was injured, however residents in some 24 flats at 2, 4 and 6 Gardner Street were hurriedly told by police they had to leave their properties immediately after the blocks of tenements “wobbled” following the landslide.

Meanwhile flat-dwellers at 175 to 179 Lochee Road were also removed from around 20 homes by police after feeling the impact of the mud striking their building.

Emergency services were called to the scene shortly after 4pm and the City Engineer surveyed the damage and was due to return today to further assess the situation.

Police immediately closed off Gardner Street at the junction of Loons Road and Rankine Street at Lochee Road, along with connecting side streets and diverted traffic away from the area.

However although emergency vehicles, including fire tenders, police and Scotland Gas Networks vehicles lined a section of Lochee Road, the main route between the city and Lochee was kept fully open.

Evacuated residents were assisted by Dundee City Council officers who were on hand to arrange any alternative accommodation and offered an emergency rest centre. However the affected residents were able to make their own arrangements.

Roy O’Kane, who owns the basement flat nearest to the landslide, said: “I’m just amazed it wasn’t the whole building, all that’s left is the patio and it’s squint.

“After that it’s just a gaping hole. We’re talking ten feet here, if it had been any further in, then the stairwell out the back would have gone and people wouldn’t have been able to get down.

“It’s really scary and I’m still in shock.”

Source

http://www.eveningtelegraph.co.uk/news/local/video-dundee-streets-c...

A massive rock slide in West Virginia and another destructive landslide in the UK divides village in two.

Rockslide Closes West Virginia Highway (Dec 27)
A massive rock slide that pulverized and covered a large portion of W.Va. 3 in western Raleigh County caused a scramble Friday evening as state and Department of Transportation representatives worked to formulate an emergency operations plan and strategy for clearing the blockage.

Three gigantic boulders -- one estimated to tip the scales at approximately 3,000 pounds -- broke loose from the mountainside and crashed across Coal River Road between Sundial and Pettry Bottom just before 5 p.m. Friday.

The Department of Transportation says a section of W.Va. Route 3 in Raleigh County will remain closed for at least 10 days while crews remove the rockslide from the road.

Sources

http://www.firehouse.com/news/11287265/wva-crews-adjust-after-massi...

http://www.wchstv.com/newsroom/eyewitness/131230_22001.shtml

UK Village Divided After Road Collapses During Landslide (Dec 25)
A landslide over Christmas has split the village of Calstock in two.

The Army is on standby to help residents in Calstock cut off by a landslide.

Essential supplies like fuel and food may be ferried on the river which runs alongside the village on the Devon and Cornwall border.

Resident Iris Scoble: "We are definitely trapped in the village."

Source

http://www.itv.com/news/westcountry/2013-12-30/cornish-village-is-s...

Jan 4. Rock-a-Nore SE England:

http://home.nzcity.co.nz/news/article.aspx?id=179904&cat=1005&a...

A landslide that blocked Dart River has caused flooding and created an unstable natural dam that may be at risk of breaking.

5 January 2014 

One hurt, hundreds flee in Mindanao landslides

One hurt, hundreds flee in Mindanao landslides

DAVAO CITY, Philippines (Xinhua) - At least one person got injured and hundreds fled as a low pressure area (LPA) hovering over southern Philippines triggered landslides and flooding there, local officials said today.

Several houses were also destroyed as parts of a gold-rich mining village in Monkayo, a town in Southern Philippine province of Compostela Valley, were hit by two landslide incidents today, Chief Inspector Jed Clamor, regional police spokesperson for Southern Mindanao, said.

At around 2 a.m. today, a five-year-old boy sustained injuries in a landslide occurred in the mining community of Mt. Diwata, Monkayo. Another landslide hit the area around 9 a.m., destroying a house but causing no further injuries, Clamor said.

Quoting local police officials, Clamor said 247 families were also preemptively evacuated in five municipalities in Compostela Valley as moderate to heavy rains spawned by a LPA pelted the province and many parts of Mindanao since Thursday night.

Evacuations were also reported in towns in other areas of the region, he added.

The Philippine Department of Transportation and Communication today noon announced at least 37 domestic flights were canceled due to the bad weather, even as the LPA was moving sluggishly some 680 km from Mindanao's General Santos City, bringing rains while the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration still monitoring if the bad weather system could develop into a tropical cyclone.

http://shar.es/9F7L3

Severe rains trigger landslides, floods in Latin America

http://rt.com/in-motion/peru-landslides-bolivia-flood-269/#.UtHNQM7...

http://www.komonews.com/news/local/Massive-landslide-threatening-ho...

Massive landslide stranding residents, threatening homes

Mudslides halt passenger trains north of Seattle

By Associated Press  Monday, January 13, 2014

SEATTLE (AP) - Heavy weekend rains sent mudslides onto Burlington Northern Santa Fe tracks north of Seattle, affecting passenger train traffic.

Spokesman Gus Melonas (mel-OWN’-us) says one slide hit tracks south of Everett at 5:15 p.m. Sunday and another at 11 p.m. Sunday at Mukilteo.

Crews were able to clear the tracks for freight trains but Amtrak and Sounder commuter trains are on hold until 11 p.m. Tuesday for a 48-hour safety moratorium. Rail passengers will be bused.

Melonas says this is the first such moratorium this winter. There were dozens on the track last winter in Western Washington due to mudslides.

http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2014/jan/13/landslide-halts-amt... 

Mindanao floods, landslides death toll up to 23 - January 14, 2014

http://www.rappler.com/nation/47939-death-toll-lpa-january14

Flooding, landslides close roads in Prince of Wales Island - January 14, 2014

http://www.adn.com/2014/01/14/3273570/flooding-landslides-close-roa...

The record amount of rainfall that pounded Southeast Alaska overnight downed power lines, washed out roads and triggered flooding and mudslides on Prince of Wales Island, troopers said.

The National Weather Service issued a flood warning for streams and small rivers on the island as well as elsewhere on the Panhandle, including Juneau and Ketchikan.

On Prince of Wales Island, south of Sitka, washed out roads and culverts and knocked at least one cabin off its foundations, said Beth Ipsen, Alaska State Troopers spokeswoman. Three communities -- Hollis, Coffman Cove and Whales Pass -- were cut off from the rest of the island by the floods.

One landslide blocked traffic on Klawock Hollis Highway at Harris River Road, and knocked a nearby cabin over, Ipsen said. She said the owner of the cabin was standing outside his home at the time of the slide and was not hurt.

A second mudslide blocked Coffman Cove Road between miles 22 and 23, Ipsen said. A photo posted on the troopers' Facebook page shows a pile of fallen trees on the roadway.

Rushing water also washed out the road between Whales Pass and Naukati, Ipsen said.

"Travel is not advisable as roads have already been hindered or made impassable in parts of the island," the troopers said on Facebook.

For anyone planning to venture out, Ipsen cautioned: If there's any water on the road, don't drive into it.

"You could get swept away," she said.

No flooding-related injuries have been reported, troopers said.

The warnings came as Tuesday emerged as one of the wettest January days for the region in decades, forecasters said.

Since midnight, a total of 4.01 inches fell in Sitka, said Kimberly Vaughan, a forecaster with the National Weather Service office in Juneau. That eclipsed the previous record for the day, set in 1965 at 3.23 inches.

The Tuesday total also marked a daily record for the entire month of January, Vaughan said. The previous record of 3.85 inches was set in 1963.

Melting snow and winds blowing up to 44 miles per hour accentuated the flooding's impact, Vaughan said.

The Southeast storm is different from the fast-moving series of tempests now headed for Southcentral Alaska.

http://www.skynews.com.au/world/article.aspx?id=942463

Floods, landslides kill 16 in Indonesia

Updated: 04:39, Friday January 17, 2014

Floods and landslides killed 16 people and left at least two missing in Indonesia's North Sulawesi province, an official said on Thursday.

Floods triggered by days of heavy rain have hit six districts and towns in the province this week and displaced more than 40,000 people, said Noldy Liow, the head of the local disaster management agency.

An unknown number of people were believed missing after a hill caved in and the mud slammed into motorists in the town of Tomohon on Wednesday, Liow said.

'Witnesses said cars and motorcycles were thrown into a 50-metre deep ravine when the landslide hit them,' Liow said.

'They were trapped in a traffic jam because of flooding when the incident happened.'

The provincial capital Manado and the neighbouring town of Tomohon were the worst hit, he said.

Floods and landslides are common during the rainy season in Indonesia.

At least four people were killed this week as floods hit parts of the Indonesian capital, Jakarta

Various landslides within last 24 hours...

Major landslide causes property and environmental damage in Great Bear Rainforest http://www.vancouversun.com/technology/Major+landslide+causes+prope...

2 workers injured when landslide derails train in Italy

http://upi.com/2647732

Landslides spark delays on Southeastern trains between Swanley and Chatham

http://www.kentonline.co.uk/dartford_messenger/news/landslides-caus...

Landslides cause traffic delays in Kodiak

http://www.newsminer.com/news/alaska_news/landslides-cause-traffic-... via @newsminer

* Huge landslide hits Britain's most beautiful beach [AOL Travel UK; 23 January, 2014]

A cliff landslide has crashed onto a Welsh beach that was last year voted the 10th best in the world.

Tonnes of rocks gave way and fell onto the Rhossili Beach in Gower, Swansea, which is owned by the National Trust.

Steven Campbell-Kelly, owner of the Rhossili Gallery and a volunteer for Rhossili Coastguard Cliff Rescue, told Aol Travel: "A collapse of a significant section of sedimentary cliff between Rhossili Beach steps and the main limestone cliffs occurred on 22 January.

"This has resulted in a collapse of a section some 200 feet long by 40 to 50 feet high. The upper section continues to crumble and I believe another significant collapse will occur within the next couple of weeks.

"This landslide occurred very close to the remains of old medieval Rhossili Village on the Warren, owned by the National Trust."

The three-mile stretch of white sand was named third in a list of best European beaches in a worldwide tourist survey carried out by Tripadvisor in 2013.

One traveller said: "Rhossilli Bay is stunning. The walks along the cliff top are breathtakingly magnificent - walk until you reach past the Visitors Centre and just look out to Worms Head - what a view."

And not only was it the top three in Europe, Rhossili Bay was also voted the 10th best beach in the world in a Tripadvisor poll.

Some people, however, had their noses put out of joint. Namely the Aussies. One Australian journalist even went so far as to write an entire article about why so many beaches Down Under were far worthier of the accolade, entitled "YOU'RE JOKING: This British beach is NOT better than ours".

But, as the South Wales Evening Post points out, the spot is regularly hailed for its stunning views in numerous best beach surveys.

However, authorities are now warning people to be vigilant for further landslides. Steve Jones, Swansea Coastguard rescue co-ordination manager, told the BBC: "We would urge members of the public to take extra care after all this wet weather.

"We now have evidence that we are getting these falls and we would ask people to be very cautious when they are out walking around cliffs."

Deadly Mudslide Sweeps Through Argentina (Jan 23)

A mudslide that swept through parts of northwestern Argentina has killed four people and left eight others missing.

It happened Thursday night in the Catamarca region, nearly 1200 kilometres from Buenos Aires.

Authorities evacuated about 600 people from their homes.

Soil and debris rushed through the villages of El Rodeo and Sijan pushing huge boulders into roads, vehicles and houses. One of them was a hostel accommodating tourists visiting a local festival.

Roads to El Rodeo have been blocked. The town has lost power and is running out of provisions.

The governor of Catamarca, Lucia Corpacci said she expects the death roll to rise.

Sources

http://tvnz.co.nz/world-news/deadly-mudslide-sweeps-through-argenti...

http://rt.com/in-motion/argentina-deadly-mudslide-villages-190/

http://www.myfoxphilly.com/story/24546542/argentina-mudslide

http://www.vision.org/visionmedia/visionvideos.aspx?id=79633