we are here to talk about rockslide, rockfalls, and related issues. what is the difference between a geologist and a geotechnical engineer? >> and engineering geologist deals with identifying site characteristics, mapping, the ground's surface, collecting all of this data. the engineer can come up with medications and designs. >> the structural engineer might be working on a building if there is a building involved. what is your role? >> i am interested in the physical properties of the earth and how the earth will behave: subject to different load changes. when you are building a building, you are applying a load and you are wondering if the earth will be able to supply that load. we work closely together and we come up with practical engineering solutions. >> this is when someone wants to build something. also, we have a rock piece of land. we have to have a resolution. >> in the u.s., about 2/3 of the population lives in areas that are prone to landslides. about $2 billion of damage occurs annually from landslides. unfortunately, 20-25 million peop

now both areas are likely to see continuing flooding rains and a potential for rockslides as well as land slides. we're talking about rain. about 40 millimeters in the space of just one hour is possible for southern parts of -- for the southern japanese islands. we're also seeing heavy rain here in coastal china down towards the south. that's because this area sandwiched in between the front and the new low that's developed in the south china sea. more heavy downpours here. for indochina, the monsoon is starting to rev up. we're seeing heavier rain coming in towards thailand and western parts of indochina. that's just going to continue over the next couple of months as we see the monsoon strengthen. let's talk about what's happening in the u.s. and canada. up towards the north, a low pressure system moving along the u.s./canada border. a front associated with it will see thunderstorms and, in fact, those thunderstorms will be popping up down the rockies. up towards canada in the northeast, you could even see some very late snow. about 15 to 25 centimeters is possible. now down in the

a spectacular rockslide in witnesses lands. you don't see this every day.nday night, going into tuscany morning. the village in the southern part of that country. now the experts had predicted this slide because of the very unstable mountainside there. almost 400,000 cubic yards of rock slid down the valley. neighboring roads are now, more rockslides are expected, and getting into that danger zone for good reason is forbidden. >>> we have just getting some breaking news into the newsroom. it volcanoes one of biggest names in disco music. also the growing threat of a supermarket strike what unhappy union workers are doing in the south bay. and the announcement this could change the whole industry. >> we're live in san jose where detectives are investigating a homicide and an assault. we just spoke to the friend of one of the victims and tell what you they said when mornings on 2 continues. ♪ beth! hi! looking good. you've lost some weight. thanks. you noticed. these clothes are too big, so i'm donating them. how'd you do it? eating right -- whole grain. [ fe

. >>> a town in switzerland cleaning up after a series of huge rockslides. take a look. see the rocks break away from the side of that mountain and take out some trees on the way down. a lot of trees. the slides forced several major roadways to be closed, as well. some people were evacuated from their homes as a precaution. nobody got hurt, though. >> can you imagine if you liveder in there? >> you hear that and see the rocks coming -- >> move fast. >>> just about 6:11. can we pause for a moment and -- sunrise. >> yes, pay homage to the beautiful sunshine. we're happy to see after all the rain. time for weather & traffic on the 1s. tom? >> yes, things should be better for the commute. here's a live view from the skywatcher camera. figure over the potomac valley it morning. and the sun was up at 5:54. and by midday, near 80. we'll have quite a bit of sun this morning. clouds building during the afternoon. peaking mid 80s mid-afternoon. late afternoon, might have a passing thundershower. your seven-day outlook coming up at 6:21. danella? >>> if you're taking the rails now,

a heavy rain triggered this massive road slide and a rockslide near boulder, colorado. that debris causing major delays. luckily no injuries reported. they deal with that out there. martha: new testimony this morning in the john edwards corruption trial, former edwards speechwriter, wendy button, is expected to testify that the 2008 presidential candidate knew all about the nearly $1 million provided by wealthy donors as a whole effort to aid in the cover-up of his pregnant mistress. that is very key to this case. jonathan serrie join us now. he is live outside the courthouse in greensboro, north carolina. jonathan what are we expecting to hear from wendy button and could it sort of button up what the jury needs to hear here? >> reporter: wendy button is the former speechwriter in 2009 helped john edwards draft a public statement where he admitted to the affair and the pregnancy that resulted. now prosecutors are likely to ask her what knowledge john edwards had at the time about the nearly one million dollars from two wealthy donors to keep his pregnant mistress in hid