The Landslide Handbook- A Guide to Understanding Landslides: A landmark publication for landslide education and preparedness

Abstract

The International Program on Landslides (IPL) aims to conduct international cooperative research and capacity building on landslide risk mitigation, notably in developing countries. To this end, a proposal was submitted to the IPL project committee by landslide researchers from the Geological Survey of Canada and the U.S. Geological Survey. The proposal is entitled IPL 106 "A Best Practices Handbook for Landslide Hazard Mitigation" and was accepted by the ICL/IPL Board of Representatives (BOR) in 2002. As the project evolved, the aim of the Handbook became more comprehensive and the target audience clarified as those charged with emergency management, landslide mitigation, and public education in both developed and developing countries, including those lay persons interested in a comprehensive introduction to Landslide Hazards. The final product and volume entitled "The Landslide Handbook - A Guide to Understanding Landslides" was written by Lynn Highland, U.S. Geological Survey (Landslide Program) and Peter Bobrowsky, Geological Survey of Canada. This handbook is now helping home-owners, community and emergency managers, and decision makers to take the positive step of encouraging awareness of available options and recourse in regard to landslide hazard. As of 2011 The Handbook has been published in four additional languages: Mandarin Chinese, Japanese, Portuguese, and Spanish.