What is landslide?

A Landslide is the downward and outward movement of slope-forming materials composed of rocks, soils or artificial fills under the influence of gravitational and other forces.

How do Landslides occur?

Landslides may occur under the influence of the following triggering factors:

• Erosion at the toe of slopes due to effects of rivers, lakes and sea.
• Heavy rains and sudden snowmelt.
• Rising of the groundwater table.
• Increase of stresses in slopes due to external and dynamic forces, such as building loads on the slope and earthquake loads.
• Volcanic eruptions.
• Human activities, such as man-made excavations and blasting.
• Deforestation.

When and how often do Landslides occur?

Landslides may occur suddenly and last from a few seconds to a long period of time, depending on the environmental conditions and the triggering factors. It is difficult to estimate how often they occur.

What are the impacts of landslides ?

• Loss of human lives and damages on properties.
• Loss of industrial, agricultural and forest productivity and tourist revenues as a result of damage to land or facilities or interruption of transportation system.
• Reduced real estate values in areas threatened by landslides.
• Loss of tax revenues from properties that are devalued because of landslides.
• Measures to prevent or mitigate additional landslide damage.
• Adverse effect on water quality in streams and irrigation facilities outside the landslides.
• Loss of human or animal productivity because of injury, death or psychological trauma.
• Secondary physical effects such as landslide caused flooding, for which losses are both direct or indirect,
• Need for stable land, suitable for agriculture and habitation.

How does science cope with Landslides?

Scientists help people referring to landslides by:

• Predicting areas susceptible to landsliding using various techniques.
• The selection and application of suitable preventative and remedial measures
• Planning the engineering structures and settlement areas at landslide free or non-susceptible regions.
• Developing warning systems.
• Informing and educating the public on landslides.

Selected RTD Projects to be presented in SHIELD's Exhibitions

      Click here for Landslides related RTD Projects