Planning for Failure: Landslide Analysis for a Safer Society

Stephen Hughes (University of Puerto Rico-Mayaguez)
Bobak Karimi (Wilkes University)
Editor: Beth Pratt-Sitaula (UNAVCO)

This material was developed and reviewed through the GETSI curricular materials development process. Final review and editing is pending.

This material was developed and reviewed through the GETSI curricular materials development process. This rigorous, structured process includes:

team-based development to ensure materials are appropriate across multiple educational settings.
multiple iterative reviews and feedback cycles through the course of material development with input to the authoring team from both project editors and an external assessment team.
real in-class or field camp/course testing of materials in multiple courses with external review of student assessment data.
multiple reviews to ensure the materials meet the GETSI materials rubric which codifies best practices in curricular development, student assessment and pedagogic techniques.
created or reviewed by content experts for accuracy of the science content.

Final review, editing, and approval by GETSI for this material is still pending.

Summary

In this module, students learn empirical methods of mass movement (landslide) hazard mapping and how to tie that to making smarter societal choices. Students explore landslide detection from digital topographic data, the distributive pattern of landslides in a region, and how predictive models (susceptibility maps) are developed and analyzed. This culminates in generating of a risk analysis report and management plan. Materials for student reading and preparation exercises, in-class discussions, lab exercises, group activities, and jigsaw experience are all provided, including teaching tips and suggestions for modifications for a variety of classes.

Show more about Online Teaching suggestions

Webinar about teaching this module: Teaching Landslide Analysis to Undergraduates: Planning for Failure and a Safer Society

For an introductory-level module on landslide hazards, please see Surface Process Hazards: Living with Landslides

Strengths of the Module

Students come away from the module with a robust understanding of landslide susceptibility analysis, as well as more concrete understanding of the societal impact of mass movements and steps that can be taken to improve resilience.
The module includes use of both CloudCompare and ArcGIS Desktop. Although the technology ramp-up challenges some of the students, it also helps them develop transferable skills in trouble-shooting and using Help tools to figure things out. Some students have even gone on to use the methods behind the landslide susceptibility index (LSI) for other applications in other courses.