US Landslide Exposure Database Maps 6.5 Million Residents at Risk

Researchers at the University of Washington have released the Landslide Exposure Database, the first systematic, nationwide mapping of landslide susceptibility for the United States. The database rates 128 million buildings using a terrain and landslide‑susceptibility map from the United States Geological Survey, building footprints from the Overture Maps Foundation, occupancy data from the Army Corps of Engineers, and socioeconomic metrics from the Census Bureau.

Analysis shows roughly 6.5 million people live in landslide‑prone regions, about 2 % of the U.S. population but concentrated in the West Coast and Appalachia, with West Virginia holding the largest share of at‑risk residents. The study highlights a socioeconomic divide: urban dwellers in hazard zones tend to be more affluent, while rural residents are generally less resourced and more vulnerable. Landslides cause an estimated $3‑6 billion in damage and multiple fatalities each year, a risk that could rise with housing development in hazard‑prone areas and climate‑driven increases in heavy rainfall.

The database, published in Earth’s Future on July 29, is available online with user‑friendly tools to help policymakers, emergency managers, and the public prioritize mitigation, education, and preparedness efforts.