They stumbled on some landslides by chance. Others were identified earlier with the help of their Lamont colleague Colin Stark, an expert in using earthquake data and satellite images to discover landslides in remote places. Picking through dense shrubs, Kaplan climbed a pile of rubble to hammer away more samples for dating in the lab.
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COP31, the 2026 United Nations Climate Change Conference, aims to advance dialogue, strengthen consensus, and accelerate climate action on a global scale. From November 9–20, 2026 in Antalya, Türkiye, heads of state, ministers, scientists, business leaders, and civil society will gather to advance efforts in emission targets, climate finance, and adaptation and resilience. Once again, our experts, students, and global thought leaders from Columbia Climate School and across Columbia University are contributing to key events, sharing insights, and helping shape the dialogue toward ambitious, science-based solutions. Learn More