Dave Petley

@davepetley

Vice-Chancellor and President at NTU. Landslides, hazards, risk, vulnerability and resilience, plus a bit of university matters and of course some Coventry City FC. #pusb

334 Following2,545 Followers697 Posts

YouTube Bluesky

Is this your profile?Claim it and davepetley.dirty.social is yours.Claim profile

Dave Petley@davepetley· 12d

In #Taiwan, a large rockslide last month, the Wanlixi #landslide, has blocked a river, creating a barrier lake with a volume of about 6 million cubic metres. The dam is being monitored 24 hours per day in case of a breach. eos.org/thelandslide...

Aerial image of the Wanlixi landslide and lake as of 30 July 2026. Image from the Forestry and Nature Conservation Agency, Taiwan,

Dave Petley@davepetley· 13d

A new study (Acosta-Reyes et al. 2026) provides a fascinating insight into the patterns of landslide exposure in the United States. It shows that the southern Appalachians in particular has a population living in poverty that is highly exposed to landslides. eos.org/thelandslide...

Poverty characteristics of the population exposed to high landslide susceptibility in the United States from Acosta-Reyes et al. (2026). Original caption: Income and poverty characteristics of the population exposed to high landslide susceptibility at the census-tract scale. (a) ... (b) High-exposure population residing in tracts with poverty rates of 20% or higher. Insets for Alaska and Hawaii use a modified scale and geographic displacement for visual clarity.

Dave Petley@davepetley· 14d

In June 2026 I recorded 48 fatal landslides causing 131 fatalities. 2026 continues to be atypical in terms of the temporal pattern of fatal landslides. eos.org/thelandslide...

The cumulative total number of global fatal landslides in 2026 by pentad to the end of June.

The number of global fatal landslides in 2026 by month to the end of June.

Dave Petley@davepetley· 15d

Satellite images from Planet Labs show two very large landslides and multiple smaller failures, and channelised debris flows, in Shimen County in China, triggered by heavy rainfall in May 2026. News reports suggest there were 16 fatalities. eos.org/thelandslide...

Planet Labs image of one of the May 2026 landslides in Shimen County, China. Image copyright Planet Labs, used with permission, draped onto the Google Earth DEM.

Dave Petley@davepetley· 19d

News reports suggest that this happened yesterday in the Kalanada mining area near Jakhli Road. This suggests it is in the area of [27.0482, 74.71711], which looks logical. There are certainly candidate sites in that area (see Googe Maps image).

Google Maps image showing potential sites for the marble quarry landslide in India.

Dave Petley@davepetley· 20d

Wow, that's a very long run out distance!

Newspaper headline: "Scientists Found Giant Landslides On Pluto Big Enough To Cover A Small City"

Dave Petley@davepetley· 23d

Reports suggest 42 people were killed in a large rainfall-induced rockslope failure at Hanjia in Chongqing, China on Friday. Imagery suggests that suspicion will fall on a cutting at the foot of the slope. eos.org/thelandslide...

Annotated Google Earth image from 2018 showing the site of the 17 July 2026 landslide at Hanjia in Chongqing, China.

The aftermath of the 17 July 2026 landslide at Hanjia in Chongqing, China. Image from Xinhua.

Dave Petley@davepetley· 24d

In the cold light of day, this looks surreal. However, it was a wonderful, exciting, joyous celebration of all that's great about football. It was a roller coaster of emotions. It's easy to be proud of both sets of players, especially for the way they came together at the end. So very well done!

Dave Petley@davepetley· 26d

There's been a very serious rockslide in Pengshui Miao and Tujia Autonomous County in Chongqing, China today. Tescue operations are ongoing. Image from Xinhua:-

aerial drone photo taken on July 17, 2026 shows the site of a rainfall-induced landslide along a section of the Wujiang River in southwest China's Chongqing Municipality. Nine people have so far been rescued after a rainfall-induced landslide occurred along a section of the Wujiang River in southwest China's Chongqing Municipality on Friday. Image via #invasion

Dave Petley@davepetley· Jul 8

A major landslide at Renzang Village in Longnan City, Gansu Province, China yesterday killed 21 forestry workers. Satellite imagery suggests that the slope showed signs of disturbance before the failure. eos.org/thelandslide...

Sentinel image of the aftermath of the 7 July 2026 landslide at Renzang in Gansu, China. Image via Sentinel Hub, captured on 7 July 2026.

The aftermath of the 7 July 2026 landslide at Renzang in Gansu Province, China. Image released by Xinhua.

Dave Petley@davepetley· Jul 7

Early in the morning of 6 July 2026, three fatal landslides killed eight people in the refugee camps housing the displaced Rohingya people in Bangladesh. eos.org/thelandslide...

Google Earth image of the Rohingya camps in Cox's Bazar, Bangladesh.

Dave Petley@davepetley· Jul 3

The 24 May 2026 landslide disaster in Yongchuan, Chongqing, China. @planet.com imagery reveals a cluster of shallow landslides and channelised debris flows triggered by extreme rainfall. Official figures indicate that 20 people were killed. eos.org/thelandslide...

Satellite image of the aftermath of the 26 May 2026 landslides in Yongchuan District, Chongqing. Image copyright Planet Labs, used with permission, captured on 3 June 2026.

Dave Petley@davepetley· Jul 2

Book review: Engineering Geomorphology - A Practitioners Guide by Gareth Hearn. This a fascinating volume that examines the principles and practice of the often neglected but incredibly powerful field of engineering geomorphology. eos.org/thelandslide...

Dave Petley@davepetley· Jul 1

A motorcyclist had an exceptionally lucky escape after being caught in a valley-blocking landslide has been triggered by monsoon rainfall in Lower Siang district, Arunachal Pradesh, India. eos.org/thelandslide...

The valley-blocking landslide in Lower Siang, India. Still from a video posted to Facebook by Untold Northeast.

Dave Petley@davepetley· Jun 25

#Landslides and #liquefaction from the 24 June 2026 "double tap" earthquakes in Venezuela, and some thoughts about helpful and more accurate ways for the media to report the news about this event. eos.org/thelandslide... #earthquake #terremoto #Venezuela #terremotoVenezuela

The USGS Pager liquefaction Map for the 24 June 2026 M=7.5 earthquake in Venezuela.

Dave Petley@davepetley· Jun 24

The official receiver of the operator is suing JDS Energy and Mining for breach of contract and negligence over the 24 June 2024 heap leach failure at the Eagle Gold Mine, based on the outcome of the investigation by an Independent Review Board. eos.org/thelandslide...

The 24 June 2024 heap leach failure at the Eagle Gold Mine. Image released by the Independent Review Board.

Dave Petley@davepetley· Jun 23

A significant "quake lake" has developed in a remote area of Mindanao in the Philippines as a result of the 8 June 2026 earthquake, threatening four communities located downstream. eos.org/thelandslide... Image by Marina Barlizo Taping on Facebook.

Unverified image from the Facebook page of Marina Barlizo Taping showing a valley-blocking landslide triggered by the Mindanao earthquake.

Dave Petley@davepetley· Jun 22

In the Philippines, an incredibly useful manual has been published as part of Operation L!STO that guides local government agencies in preparing for and responding to landslides. eos.org/thelandslide...

Dave Petley@davepetley· Jun 5

A night of Take That at the CBS. It was almost as good as a home win! #takethat #PUSB

The second best set of fireworks at the CBS in recent weeks.

Dave Petley@davepetley· May 29

On 19 July 2025, record-breaking rainfall triggered a landslide that destroyed 26 buildings in Sangneung village, Sanchong, South Korea. Plans are now being developed to permanently relocate the community. eos.org/thelandslide...

Photograph showing the aftermath of the 19 July 2025 landslide at Sangneung village. A large landslide is devouring the houses.
Image released by Sancheong County.

Dave Petley@davepetley· May 27

A new study (Sun et al. 2026) in the journal Natural Hazards Review shows that in six earthquakes in China between 2010 and 2022, landslides and rockfalls were responsible for at least half of the total fatalities. eos.org/thelandslide...

An example of an earthquake triggered landslide in China.

Dave Petley@davepetley· May 22

A new paper in the journal landslides (Yang et al. 2026) details the 10 December 2025, 6.8 million cubic metre, Huangci Landslide in China, which was a reactivation on a slope that has suffered two other major failures in recent decades. eos.org/thelandslide...

An image from a drone showing the aftermath of the 10 December 2025 Huangci landslide in China. Still from a video posted to Youtube by 阿龍說牆內事.

Dave Petley@davepetley· May 18

A new study (Vega et al. 2026) in the journal Landslides shows that patterns of reported structural damage in Medellin are probably caused by deep-seated deformation driven by a series of ancient landslides under the city. eos.org/thelandslide...

Google Earth image of the Manrique neighbourhood of Medellin in Colombia, which is actively deforming due to deep-seated landslides.

Dave Petley@davepetley· May 15

On 19 July 2025, intense, long duration rainfall triggered over 550 landslides in Sancheong, South Korea, killing at least 10 people. eos.org/thelandslide... Image by @planet.com

Planet Labs image of a part of the area affected by landslides during heavy rainfall in Sancheong County, South Korea on 19 July 2025. Image copyright Planet Labs, used with permission. Image dated 23 July 2025.

Dave Petley@davepetley· May 14

New evidence from the Natural Hazards Commission – Toka Tū Ake (NHC) shows that landslides are now New Zealand's most costly natural hazard. eos.org/thelandslide...

Here be landslides - typical landslide-prone terrain in New Zealand.

Dave Petley@davepetley· May 8

In April 2026 I recorded 36 fatal landslides causing 90 fatalities, the lowest monthly total for the year to date. However, this total is still above the long term mean for April, and 2026 continues to run at the highest level in my long term dataset. eos.org/thelandslide...

The cumulative total number of global fatal landslides in 2026 by pentad to the end of April.

Dave Petley@davepetley· Apr 21

So here is the dream BBC headline for those of us who support Coventry City. I might frame it! #pusb

Championship: Leicester relegated to League One; Coventry hit five to claim title.

Dave Petley@davepetley· Apr 18

Well, that was quite a night. Premier League next stop. #pusb

Dave Petley@davepetley· Apr 17

Outside the ground. Atmosphere building. I'm feeling so nervous! #pusb

Dave Petley@davepetley· Apr 17

The 9 April 2026 landslide at Lamarain in Papua New Guinea: ten people were killed in a large failure triggered by heavy rainfall associated with Tropical Cyclone Maila. eos.org/thelandslide...