The NLHP provides results of investigations for use by private consultants in geology and geotechnical engineering, and planners and decision makers from governmental entities at all levels. The results of these efforts have led to significant improvements in understanding the nature and scope of ground-failure problems nationally and worldwide. Such improvements are central to the role of the program, because opportunities remain for fundamental advances in understanding that promise to save lives and dollars nationwide. Landslides pose serious threats to highways and structures that support fisheries, tourism, timber harvesting, mining, and energy production as well as general transportation. Landslides commonly occur with other major natural disasters such as earthquakes and floods that exacerbate relief and reconstruction efforts and expanded development and other land use has increased the incidence of landslide disasters.
Landslides are common throughout the Appalachian region and New England.
The Northridge earthquake in 1994 in the San Fernando Valley triggered thousands of landslides in the Santa Susanna Mountains north of the epicenter. The enormous damages from landslides can be reduced. The primary objective of the Landslide Hazards Program is to reduce long-term losses from these hazards by improving our understanding of the causes of ground failure and suggesting mitigation strategies.