Landslide Data for the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM)
Dates
Last Update
2024-04-12
Summary
Landslides are a common hazard on FSM and identified as a significant risk to human life by the CDC. In 1997, tropical storms (TS) triggered landslides in Pohnpei that resulted in 20 fatalities, impacting 14 homes. In 2002, a TS triggered over 250 landslides in Chuuk resulting in 47 fatalities and impacting 231 structures, totaling $100 million in damages. FSM has also been impacted by disastrous landslides in 1991, 1992, 2004, and 2018 – and certainly many other unreported landslides. Following the 2002 event, the CDC found that “increasing knowledge of natural warnings can reduce the risk for mortality during landslides.” As a first step, knowing what areas are susceptible to landslide hazards is key. To this end, the Landslide Disaster [...]
Summary
Landslides are a common hazard on FSM and identified as a significant risk to human life by the CDC. In 1997, tropical storms (TS) triggered landslides in Pohnpei that resulted in 20 fatalities, impacting 14 homes. In 2002, a TS triggered over 250 landslides in Chuuk resulting in 47 fatalities and impacting 231 structures, totaling $100 million in damages. FSM has also been impacted by disastrous landslides in 1991, 1992, 2004, and 2018 – and certainly many other unreported landslides. Following the 2002 event, the CDC found that “increasing knowledge of natural warnings can reduce the risk for mortality during landslides.” As a first step, knowing what areas are susceptible to landslide hazards is key. To this end, the Landslide Disaster Assistance Team (LDAT) received funding from USAID Bureau for Humanitarian Assistance (BHA) to map landslides across FSM.
This project uses an innovative landslide hazard mapping tool (Grfin) that identifies both where a landslide might start (initiation) and where it may go (runout). First, LDAT mapped landslides using satellite imagery from 2005-2023 to create new landslide inventories. Second, LDAT is producing and calibrating landslide hazard maps for the four states of the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM), in collaboration with FSM emergency managers and on-island field verification. Third, LDAT is collecting any historic landslide data and linking to it here. All landslide inventory data and landslide maps are available by state (see folders below).
