Portland, Oregon

Background

Landslides in the West Hills of Portland pose a hazard to people and property. In February 1996, a major storm induced hundreds of landslides in the West Hills. Smaller numbers of landslides occur every few years during extended rainy periods and intense storms.

Purpose of Monitoring

Data collection at this site supports research on hydrologic factors that control landslide initiation. In many landslide-prone hillsides, infiltration of water from rainfall or snowmelt increases ground-water pressures. These elevated pressures can, in turn, induce landslide movement.

Instrument installation at this site took place during the summer and fall of 2006. These instruments are used to monitor and detect changes in local conditions, including

Current Monitoring Status

Active

Frequency of Web Graph Updates

Daily, measurements are taken at 15-minute intervals and data are transmitted daily and displayed on graphs that are updated daily. Updates may be interrupted occasionally by instrument, computer, or network malfunctions.

Monitoring performed in Cooperation with

Portland State University and the Oregon Department of Geology and Mineral Industries

Disclaimer

This monitoring site was operated as part of a research project. Active data collection may be discontinued at any time in the future.

These data are preliminary and have not received final approval. Data relayed by radio or other telemetry have received little or no review. Inaccuracies in the data may be present because of instrument malfunctions or physical changes at the measurement site. Subsequent review may result in significant revisions to the data.

Data users are cautioned to consider carefully the provisional nature of the information before using it for decisions that concern personal or public safety or the conduct of business that involves substantial monetary or operational consequences.

Contact Information

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