KETCHIKAN, Alaska (KTUU) – Geologists with the State of Alaska are currently in Ketchikan researching slope conditions in an effort to ensure the area is safe before looking into the actual cause of Sunday’s deadly landslide.

“When talking about this, it’s really difficult to imagine what the residents are going through, and our thoughts are really with the families impacted by the recent landslide,” Dr. Gabriel Wolken, the manager of the climate and hazards program with the Alaska division of geological and geophysical surveys, said on Wednesday.

Wolken is also a research professor at the University of Alaska Fairbanks.

“[Geologists are] making sure that the area is safe for the responders and the people trying to put their lives back together. And then soon after this, we will thoroughly analyze the information and the data that are being collected by the geoscientists on the ground, and come up with some causal mechanisms for this event.”

While not sure of the root cause of the landslide — which claimed the life of 42-year-old Sean Griffin — Wolken says that landslides are nearly impossible to predict.

Wolken said geoscientists are gaining a better understanding of what conditions need to be present in order for landslides to occur.

“One thing that is certain is that extreme weather can play a large role in how landslides develop, and intense, prolonged rainfall can play a really large role in this. It can weaken the stability of the slopes,” Wolken said. “This is especially true if the slope’s already saturated, [rainfall] can change the condition of the soil, causing the pore pressure in the soil to increase, which really weakens the stability of the slope. So whenever there’s a lot of rain, a lot of extreme weather, then that can be problematic.”

Wolken says there are warning signs that a landslide is imminent, particularly in Southeast Alaska, where people can keep an eye out for springs in the soil.

That, he says, is an indication the soil is quite saturated. New cracks in the ground or unusual bulges are something to watch out for as well.

“Another thing to keep a lookout for is any precursor indications that movement is occurring, perhaps in a creep fashion,” Wolken explained. “So if you’re in your house, you might notice that there’s cracks that have developed in the drywall or plaster — if you have that in your house — or maybe the door is not closing properly.

“These are all indications that things are kind of changing in the structure of the house, and those are things to look out for in the event that a slow creep might be occurring on the slope.”

Wolken is leading a study on landslide hazards in Haines, 364 miles northwest of Ketchikan. The project is analyzing data from the spring of 2021, taken one year after a deadly landslide claimed two lives.

“There have been too many destructive and deadly events, resulting in 12 fatalities in the last decade,” he said. “So determining whether landslides in Southeast Alaska are occurring more frequently in recent years than in the past is very difficult, if not impossible, to answer at this time.”

He says it’s difficult to determine if landslides are happening more frequently because of a lack of data, as well as inconsistencies in landslide reporting. He explained that the research in Haines is ongoing and reports are currently being prepped.

That’s the work that’s happening now. Scientists and geologists are collecting data that will provide future generations with a better understanding of why these landslides occur.

“Our work is really aimed at generating the actionable science that is needed to improve decision-making across the state, across multiple sectors of society,” Wolken said. “And this doesn’t stop at one landslide. This doesn’t stop at one location of the state.

“So we’re really focused broadly on a statewide landslide hazard preparedness, which means that we’re focused on lots of different places at a single time to try to understand, characterize and assess these different places.”

The work now is happening in Ketchikan, as people like geologist Martin “Mort” Larson are collecting data.

“They’re very busy on the ground, going to different places in the high elevation terrain, looking for different signatures on the landscape that would indicate unstable slope conditions, and that can vary across the board, but certainly looking at saturated ground issues, any scarps that are on the landscape, and doing some preliminary mapping of the area,” Wolken said. “We have deployed personnel to the area to work with our partners from both state and federal agencies. I know that the Department of Transportation is collecting some airborne drone-based remote sensing that’s helping with the folks on the ground in a rapid response sort of way, we have deployed a remote sensing specialist to go down and collect some broader Lidar of the area so that we can use that in our analysis.”

Copyright 2024 KTUU. All rights reserved.

With a heatwave sweeping the U.S., the words “stay hydrated” have taken on a new meaning. Now, popular rapper Ludacris is taking that phrase to another level. On Monday, while in Alaska for a show, the “Get Back” artist posted an Instagram video of himself drinking water fresh from a glacier.

“Listen, man, half the world’s glaciers are here in Alaska, I couldn’t come here and just have a show. You know I got a bucket list, or as I like to call it, a ‘fuck it list,’” he said. “I’ve never tasted fresh glacial water ever in my life. And this is a first.”

After drinking a sip of the water, Luda exclaimed, “Oh my god! Oh”—like he’s just discovered the Fountain of Youth. As much as he loved the experience, fans replying to the clip were very concerned about his well-being. They were thrilled he didn’t fall in the water, but also wondered if the questionable source would make him sick. It seems all the sci-fi/horror movies about aliens and prehistoric monsters lurking in glacial settings had people spooked.

One person thinks the rapper/actor is going to “discover some ancient disease.”

Another fan had thoughts about the local wildlife, replying, “Luda I feel like there’s polar bear pee in that water.”

Considering what we’ve been through in recent years, it’s not surprising that an ancient disease topped everyone’s list of concerns, with one person writing, “Next world wide virus is from millions of years ago. Patient O is this guy.”

Someone who’s been to the movies recently posted, “Mf drinking ‘Alien Romulus’ remnants smh.”

Another person thinks this isn’t leading anywhere positive, writing on X, “New monkeypox variant coming soon.”

With so many people talking about his latest adventure, the “Act a Fool” rapper hopped on social media to give everyone an update. The self professed “water snob” seems like his usual energetic self, and he seemingly has not contracted an alien virus.

“For everybody asking me how that glacier water really tasted…it was the best tasting water I’ve ever had in my life. As I drank it, I felt like every cell in my human body was being hydrated and rejuvenated at the same damn time,” the “Fast & Furious” actor said. “I’m here. I feel like Superman. Loved all the fans, glad y’all digging that. It’s different ways of life. Just trying to take you places and show you things.”

Despite his assurances, at least one fan is not buying it, replying, “Notice how he said human body? Thats because he’s been entirely taken over by an ancient water spirit and they just outed themselves.”

One user had a reality check for everyone, posting, “If you’re concerned over Ludacris drinking glacier water, wait until you hear about Flint, Michigan…”