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Landslides Triggered by the August 14, 2021, Magnitude 7.2 Nippes, Haiti, Earthquake

Open-File Report 2021-1112
By: , , , , , , and 
https://doi.org/10.3133/ofr20211112

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Abstract

The August 14, 2021, magnitude 7.2 Nippes, Haiti, earthquake triggered thousands of landslides on the Tiburon Peninsula. The landslides directly caused fatalities and damage and impeded response efforts by blocking roads and causing other infrastructure damage. Adverse effects of the landslides likely will continue for months to years. This report presents an assessment of potential postearthquake landslide-related geologic hazards for the Tiburon Peninsula and a preliminary map of the landslides triggered by the earthquake. This hazard assessment is based on an emergency analysis of the currently available, postearthquake satellite imagery. In this report, we highlight specific areas of concern that may benefit from more detailed assessment and longer-term monitoring. Our mapping efforts revealed that at least 4,893 landslides were triggered across the Tiburon Peninsula by the earthquake and subsequent rainfall from Tropical Cyclone Grace. We also observed hundreds of landslide deposits potentially restricting flow in rivers and streams. In addition, we observed landslides that likely affected roads by rendering them impassable or susceptible to subsequent damage from existing landslides. Because of the preliminary nature of this report and the limits of remote analyses, additional investigation and monitoring would be beneficial to accurately determine the threat posed by these hazards to people and infrastructure.

Suggested Citation

Martinez, S.N., Allstadt, K.E., Slaughter, S.L., Schmitt, R., Collins, E., Schaefer, L.N., and Ellison, S., 2021, Landslides triggered by the August 14, 2021, magnitude 7.2 Nippes, Haiti, earthquake: U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report 2021–1112, 17 p., https://doi.org/10.3133/ofr20211112.

ISSN: 2331-1258 (online)

Study Area

Table of Contents

  • Acknowledgments
  • Abstract
  • Introduction
  • Data and Analysis
  • Coseismic Landslides
  • Ongoing Hazards
  • Summary
  • References Cited
Publication type Report
Publication Subtype USGS Numbered Series
Title Landslides triggered by the August 14, 2021, magnitude 7.2 Nippes, Haiti, earthquake
Series title Open-File Report
Series number 2021-1112
DOI 10.3133/ofr20211112
Year Published 2021
Language English
Publisher U.S. Geological Survey
Publisher location Reston, VA
Contributing office(s) Geologic Hazards Science Center
Description Report; vi, 17 p.; Data Release
Country Haiti
Other Geospatial Nippes
Online Only (Y/N) Y
Google Analytic Metrics Metrics page
Additional publication details