Thousands of cute, cuddly rabbits like the one pictured here are having quite an impact on the Scottish Island of Canna. These critters, estimated to number around 16,000 (compared to the human population of 12 on Canna). The rabbit burrowing was blamed for a landslide that blocked a road on the island, and the rabbits have created other problems, such as digging up bones in the local cemetery. Officials say the critters will need to be culled, much as they did with a rat infestation that affected the island in 2006. [Source: Yahoo News via USGS Landslide Events. Image: Freepix]
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Judge Rules City of San Diego Not Responsible for Mt. Soledad Landslide in 2007
The Mt. Soledad Landslide in a La Jolla California neighborhood destroyed 3 houses and damaged others and it also shut down Mt. Soledad Road for an entire year after it occurred in October of 2007. Residents blamed the city of San Diego, and 65 homeowners filed suit, claiming that leaking pipes caused the landslide and the City should cover damages.
Last week, a superior court judge ruled in favor of the City of San Diego. So far I have not seen anything indicating if the residents plan to appeal the ruling.
One interesting note regarding the trial, the City released an 8-minute cell phone video taken by a geotechnical engineer or drilling contractor employed by the City that showed the road cracking and buckling just prior to failure. The homeowners used the video to try to make their own case. Click through for a portion of the video and a link to the full one.
Landslide / Mudslide in Logan Utah
A landslide in Logan Utah caused a portion of a canal to fail, causing a second mudslide. Three people, a mother and two children, were believed to be buried when the mud and debris hit their home. Rescue efforts were halted fairly quickly because of concern regarding the stability of the hillside. So far I have not read any reports that the bodies have been recovered. Map, Videos and more after the break. (Photo by Mike Terry, Deseret News, hat tip to Landslides Under a Microscope Blog)