A geomorphologist studied the long history of landslides in Snohomish County . Landslides are as endemic to the area as earthquakes are to California , experts say . The landslide that killed a man and injured his wife was caused by an earthquake on May 11, 2011, according to a report released Thursday by the Washington State Department of Transportation. But an expert was incredulous to find homes being built after a 2006 landslide . `` My reaction was to shake my head and say , 'This is nuts , ' `` he says .
A geomorphologist studied the long history of landslides in Snohomish County . The landslide that killed a man and injured his wife was caused by an earthquake on May 11, 2011, according to a report released Thursday by the Washington State Department of Transportation. But an expert was incredulous to find homes being built after a 2006 landslide . `` My reaction was to shake my head and say , 'This is nuts , ' `` he says .