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Do human activities cause landslides?
Yes, in some cases human activities can be a contributing factor in causing landslides. Many human-caused landslides can be avoided or mitigated. They are commonly a result of building roads and structures without adequate grading of slopes, of poorly planned alteration of drainage patterns, and of disturbing old landslides.
Detailed on-site investigation is required to determine the importance of human factors in causing any particular landslide.
Learn more about the causes of landslides:
Highland, L., 2004,Landslide Types and Processes, U.S. Geological Survey Fact Sheet 2004-3072. http://pubs.usgs.gov/fs/2004/3072/pdf/fs2004-3072.pdf
Turner, A. K., and R.L. Schuster, Landslides: Investigation and Mitigation, Transportation Research Board Special Report 247, National Research Council, Washington, D.C.: National Academy Press.
Tags: Geology, Hazards, Landslides, Liquefaction, Maps, Precipitation, Soils
Related entries:
- Is there a list of the largest landslides in the World?
- Can major landslides and debris flows happen in all areas of the U.S.?
- Is there a list of the largest landslides in the United States?
- How many deaths result from landslides?
- Where can I find landslide information for my area?
Last update: 10-25-2011 17:10
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