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Global connections between El Nino and landslide impacts
Robert Emberson1,2,3, Dalia Kirschbaum4, Thomas Stanley4,5,6
1Hydrological Sciences Laboratory, NASA Goddard Space Flight Center, 8800 Greenbelt Road, Greenbelt, MD, USA. robert.a.emberson@nasa.gov.
El Nino significantly increases landslide risks globally, especially in Southeast Asia and Latin America. This climate pattern impacts people and infrastructure more than seasonal rainfall variations, aiding disaster mitigation efforts.
Area of Science:
- Climatology
- Natural Hazards
- Geoscience
Background:
- El Nino is a key driver of global climate variability.
- Its intensity influences rainfall-induced natural hazards.
- The specific impact of El Nino on landslide risk remains unclear.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the global effects of El Nino on landslide impacts.
- To identify regions where El Nino modulates landslide exposure.
- To understand the connection between El Nino strength and landslide hazards.
Main Methods:
- Utilized satellite rainfall data.
- Employed a global landslide exposure model.
- Combined climate data with hazard assessment.
Main Results:
- El Nino has widespread effects on landslide impacts to people and infrastructure.
- El Nino's influence on landslide exposure is pronounced in Southeast Asia and Latin America.
- In some regions, El Nino's landslide impact exceeds that of seasonal rainfall variability.
Conclusions:
- El Nino significantly alters global landslide hazard patterns.
- Findings enhance understanding of climate-driven hazard variability.
- Results support seasonal disaster mitigation planning.
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