Research

Via Estoril Landslide

Laguna Niguel, California
Class VII - Site Condition, Landslide

On March 19-20, 1998, much of the nation watched as seven half-million dollar houses located on Via Estoril, in Laguna Niguel, California, dropped 125 feet and fell in a spectacular landslide. Over and over again, CNN, ABC, NBC and CBS showed a house teetering 30 feet over a ledge and setting on a cliff that came spectacularly crashing down over 125 feet.

A total of seven homes were completely destroyed, at an approximate value of $500,000 each. Several other homes in the neighborhood sustained cracks, with repair costs varying. The hillside was re-graded and stabilized.

Homes After Landslide	Via Estoril Before Landslide
Crack in Exterior Block Wall	Crack Before Landslide in Concrete Slab Floor