Landslide Photo Collections

Searchable USGS Photo and Multimedia Archive with Ordering Information

The Aldercrest-Banyon neighborhood in eastern Kelso, Washington began experiencing gross ground movements in February 1998, following 3-1/2 years of above-average rainfall. The Aldercrest-Banyon landslide was one of the worst urban landslides in U.S. history, causing millions of dollars of damage, in a small bedroom community with a population of less than 12,000 people. The photos in this album were taken by Dr. J. David Rogers, Professional Engineer.

  • The Aldercrest-Banyon neighborhood in eastern Kelso, Washington began experiencing gross ground movements in February 1998, following 3-1/2 years of above-average rainfall. This photo is looking south at point where the crown scarp reached a maximum height of about 125 feet. Photo by Dr. J. David Rogers.
    kelsoscarp.j...
  • The Kelso Landslide - This view shows the developed headscarp area where it severed Aldercrest Drive, as seen in March 1999. The home at right is sitting on a horst block that has translated about 100 feet from its original position. Photo by Dr. J. David Rogers.
    horstblock.j...
  • Looking south along what used to be Banyon Drive, several hundred feet below the landslide headscarp. This area was underlain by back-rotated blocks which translated several hundred feet downhill. Photo by Dr. J. David Rogers.
    backrotatedb...
  • Another view of the debris field below what used to be Banyon Drive. Secondary debris flows coalesced from disintegrating earthflows, carrying fluidized material down to Bear Creek, a tributary of the Coweeman River (located about a mile north). Photo by Dr. J. David Rogers.
    debrisfield....
  • About 500 feet below the headscarp, the slide material disintegrated into a series of shallow earthflows and debris flows, carrying structures and remnants up to 1500 feet downhill. Photo by Dr. J. David Rogers.
    shallowearth...
  • This is a geologic cross sectio through the headscarp of the slide where it reached its maximum dimensions. The slippage appears to have occurred along the contact between the Lower Troutdale and upper Cowlitz formations, a major permeability contrast. Illustration by Dr. J. David Rogers.
    crosssection...
  • This map shows the properties affected by the Aldercrest-Banyon Landslide. The lots shown in red were those most severely damaged or destroyed. The homes portrayed in yellow and orange were subsequently condemned and removed from the area.
    aldercrest_b...

Share this page: