Landslides-General Information

A landslide is defined as the movement of a mass of rock, debris, or earth down a slope. Factors which can initiate a landslide include rainfall, earthquakes, volcanic activity, changes in groundwater, as well as changes or disturbances in a slope caused by man-made construction activities. 

Landslides can be rapidly moving or slow moving.  Rapidly moving landslides present the greatest risk to human life, and people living in or traveling through areas prone to rapidy moving landslides are at increased risk of serious injury.  Slow moving landslides can cause significant property damage, but are less likely to result in serious human injuries.