Report of Investigations--KGS

Abstract

The geology and topography of northern Kentucky and Cincinnati make the area susceptible to landslides. Decades of development and slope modification have contributed to the area being prone to landslides and having one of the highest costs per capita in the United States for landslide damage. The slow nature of some landslides and incremental damage that can span several decades often result in lack of awareness of the problem, however. Many of the landslides go unreported, and citizens do not take advantage of resources to become educated about mitigating the problem.

Research at the Kentucky Geological Survey developed a methodology using high-resolution light detection and ranging (LiDAR) data optimal for the terrain of Kenton and Campbell Counties to document landslides and enter them into an inventory. Potential landslide locations were mapped and the resulting new data were digitized. Hillshade DEM maps were the primary data set used. Locations were field verified, where possible.

Continued use of high-resolution LiDAR to identify potential landslides will provide a framework for analyzing landslide data that is crucial to understanding the nature of landslide-prone areas and reducing long-term losses.

Publication Date

2012

Series

Series XII

Report Number

Report of Investigations 24

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

https://doi.org/10.13023/kgs.ri24.12

Funding Information

I would like to thank Paula Gori and Peter Lytle with the U.S. Geological Survey Landslide Hazards Program, which provided funding for this project.

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