Landslide risks in the U.S. disproportionately affect low-income populations

A new study published in Earth’s Future reveals that landslide risks in the United States disproportionately affect low-income populations. Research indicates that individuals living in areas with high landslide susceptibility often lack the financial resources to relocate or implement mitigation strategies.

At least 6.5 million people in the U.S. live with a high risk of landslides, a figure that increases by millions when medium-risk populations are included. The Appalachian region serves as a significant hotspot; approximately 3.6 million people in Appalachia live in landslide-prone areas, accounting for 55 percent of the national total of exposed individuals. This region includes a high density of lower-income residents, exacerbating the impact of the hazard.