In West Virginia, over half of the land is susceptible to landslides in 54 counties. In 47 counties, over 90% of land is susceptible.

A landslide occurs when rock, debris, or earth moves down a slope. Inclines like hills and bluffs are a critical element of slides, meaning mountainous regions are at higher risk. Typically, landslides are triggered by forces like heavy rainfall, snowmelt, earthquakes, volcanic activity, human activities, or some combination of factors. Often, they're impossible to predict.

According to the Geological Survey, places where weak or fractured earth sit on steep slopes are likely to experience landslides—for example, areas with a history of strip mining. In Appalachia, about 1,400 square miles of land are scarred by strip mining within the Ohio River basin, according to an Inside Climate News analysis of satellite imagery. Together, the "waste rock" left behind, increasing stream flows, and heavy rainfalls brought on by climate change create a deadly recipe for landslides. This part of Appalachia is also near the Gulf of Mexico, where fast-warming waters stir up exceptionally fast-growing storms, as was the case with Hurricane Helene.

Combined, these elements create the highest vulnerability to landslides in the region. Much of West Virginia, in particular, is at risk: In 47 of the state's 55 counties, more than 90% of the land is susceptible to slides. Parts of Virginia, Kentucky, Ohio, Tennessee, and North Carolina are also exceedingly vulnerable.

Parts of California's coastline have also been plagued by major landslides. Earlier this year, a rockslide destroyed a part of Highway 1 along the state's famed Big Sur. The earth below the highway isn't sturdy, and wetter storms are further weakening it, contributing to more frequent and severe landslides. The majestic Big Sur stretch is an iconic road trip and tourism destination, where the highway winds along cliffs above the Pacific Ocean. However, it was forced to close to most traffic, and still offers just one lane at some points.

Other landslide risk factors include population growth, rapid land use changes, urbanization, heavy logging and deforestation, and inappropriate use of lands—slopes in particular. Wildfires also generate landslide hazards, leaving behind excess debris that can be dragged down during floods, as was the case in Big Sur.

The heightened frequency and severity of landslides are a direct consequence of logging, mining, and climate change, with massive repercussions for safety and critical infrastructure in the U.S. and around the world.

Hazard maps like those from the Geological Survey are a tool that federal, state, and local governments can use to identify landslide vulnerabilities and prepare for them. Preparation and mitigation efforts might include landslide drills, evacuation plans, improved drainage systems, and slope stabilization. Governments in susceptible areas can adopt disaster-resilient building codes and standards, as well as restrictions on mining and logging.

In some cases, such as Highway 1, there are no obvious solutions to fully protect against landslides. Still, with increased awareness and response plans, people can make more informed decisions on where to live (or safely visit) and can prepare themselves for landslides and their aftermath.

Read on to see where in West Virginia is most vulnerable to the growing landslide threat.

- Percent susceptible area: 46.7%
- Total susceptible area: 99 square miles

- Percent susceptible area: 69.2%
- Total susceptible area: 222 square miles

- Percent susceptible area: 80.4%
- Total susceptible area: 335 square miles

- Percent susceptible area: 83.8%
- Total susceptible area: 400 square miles

- Percent susceptible area: 87.7%
- Total susceptible area: 571 square miles

- Percent susceptible area: 88.9%
- Total susceptible area: 292 square miles

- Percent susceptible area: 89.4%
- Total susceptible area: 78 square miles

- Percent susceptible area: 90.0%
- Total susceptible area: 580 square miles

- Percent susceptible area: 90.1%
- Total susceptible area: 527 square miles

- Percent susceptible area: 90.2%
- Total susceptible area: 396 square miles

- Percent susceptible area: 91.5%
- Total susceptible area: 85 square miles

- Percent susceptible area: 91.7%
- Total susceptible area: 345 square miles

- Percent susceptible area: 92.1%
- Total susceptible area: 211 square miles

- Percent susceptible area: 93.3%
- Total susceptible area: 955 square miles

- Percent susceptible area: 93.7%
- Total susceptible area: 444 square miles

- Percent susceptible area: 93.7%
- Total susceptible area: 974 square miles

- Percent susceptible area: 94.2%
- Total susceptible area: 887 square miles

- Percent susceptible area: 94.8%
- Total susceptible area: 347 square miles

- Percent susceptible area: 95.0%
- Total susceptible area: 333 square miles

- Percent susceptible area: 95.1%
- Total susceptible area: 104 square miles

- Percent susceptible area: 95.2%
- Total susceptible area: 665 square miles

- Percent susceptible area: 95.3%
- Total susceptible area: 128 square miles

- Percent susceptible area: 95.3%
- Total susceptible area: 267 square miles

- Percent susceptible area: 95.8%
- Total susceptible area: 584 square miles

- Percent susceptible area: 95.9%
- Total susceptible area: 329 square miles

- Percent susceptible area: 95.9%
- Total susceptible area: 349 square miles

- Percent susceptible area: 96.2%
- Total susceptible area: 405 square miles

- Percent susceptible area: 96.5%
- Total susceptible area: 301 square miles

- Percent susceptible area: 96.5%
- Total susceptible area: 455 square miles

- Percent susceptible area: 96.6%
- Total susceptible area: 646 square miles

- Percent susceptible area: 96.8%
- Total susceptible area: 631 square miles

- Percent susceptible area: 97.1%
- Total susceptible area: 344 square miles

- Percent susceptible area: 97.3%
- Total susceptible area: 169 square miles

- Percent susceptible area: 97.4%
- Total susceptible area: 254 square miles

- Percent susceptible area: 97.7%
- Total susceptible area: 407 square miles

- Percent susceptible area: 98.0%
- Total susceptible area: 893 square miles

- Percent susceptible area: 98.1%
- Total susceptible area: 230 square miles

- Percent susceptible area: 98.2%
- Total susceptible area: 383 square miles

- Percent susceptible area: 98.3%
- Total susceptible area: 306 square miles

- Percent susceptible area: 98.3%
- Total susceptible area: 547 square miles

- Percent susceptible area: 98.7%
- Total susceptible area: 357 square miles

- Percent susceptible area: 98.8%
- Total susceptible area: 503 square miles

- Percent susceptible area: 99.2%
- Total susceptible area: 499 square miles

- Percent susceptible area: 99.3%
- Total susceptible area: 513 square miles

- Percent susceptible area: 99.4%
- Total susceptible area: 453 square miles

- Percent susceptible area: 99.4%
- Total susceptible area: 498 square miles

- Percent susceptible area: 99.5%
- Total susceptible area: 421 square miles

- Percent susceptible area: 99.5%
- Total susceptible area: 451 square miles

- Percent susceptible area: 99.6%
- Total susceptible area: 339 square miles

- Percent susceptible area: 99.6%
- Total susceptible area: 437 square miles

- Percent susceptible area: 99.7%
- Total susceptible area: 482 square miles

- Percent susceptible area: 99.7%
- Total susceptible area: 534 square miles

- Percent susceptible area: 99.8%
- Total susceptible area: 280 square miles

- Percent susceptible area: 99.8%
- Total susceptible area: 320 square miles

- Percent susceptible area: 99.9%
- Total susceptible area: 343 square miles

This story features data reporting and writing by Paxtyn Merten and is part of a series utilizing data automation across 50 states.