Landslides are a widespread and often underestimated natural hazard, causing thousands of deaths and significant economic damage each year. They routinely block roads, destroy infrastructure, and disrupt communities. Intense or prolonged rainfall is the most common landslide trigger, but earthquakes and human activities can also cause them. Using satellite data, models, and citizen science reports, NASA researchers have developed a collection of tools and datasets to improve our understanding of landslides and help communities around the world monitor, predict, and respond to these destructive events.

Storm Dennis is an extratropical cyclone that developed over the continental United States before undergoing explosive intensification as it crossed into the North Atlantic. On February 15 shortly after this GPM overpass, Dennis reached its minimum central pressure of 920 mb, which is reported to be the second-lowest on record for a North Atlantic winter storm. The eye can be seen south of Iceland, while rain bands to the south caused severe flooding across the British Isles. Text & Visualization by Jason West (NASA / KBR)