How to Protect Yourself From a Landslide
Landslides can occur anywhere where terrain is sloped, but most happen in mountainous areas, near rivers, canyons or on surfaces that are not stable. On average, more than 50 people are killed each year from landslides and countless others are injured. The good news is that there are things that you can do to protect yourself and minimize the chances of becoming a victim of a landslide.
Landslides are Diverse
A lot of different conditions can contribute to a landslide. Heavy rain, flooding, earthquakes, volcanoes, fires and even irresponsible development of land can all contribute to the problem. Remember that essentially, a landslide is little more than surface material sliding down across rock due to the forces of gravity. Some are big, some are small. You have probably seen a micro landslide form in a rainstorm as water cuts channels in soil and carries tiny amounts of debris away.
Larger examples are often seen along riverbanks or creek beds where grass and vegetation have simply disappeared and nothing is left but a little bit of dirt or exposed rock. While most of us are pretty familiar with large landslides that take down entire houses or sweep cars off of roads, the smaller signs can be good indicators of the condition of the surrounding terrain. This can serve as a warning that the potential exists for further landslides to occur.
Identifying Signs of a Landslide
Most landslides start small and grow as the result of a snowball effect. Some landslides can be days, weeks or even months in the making, and all it takes is just the right conditions for them to occur. Consequently, there are some tell-tale signs that we can all look out for. The first is the appearance of unstable ground. This is usually noticed by looking at things such as trees, electric or telephone poles. If they are sloping in a similar direction or appear to be uneven, there is a chance that the ground underneath may be unstable.
Another indicator of landslide risk is whether or not others have happened in the past. This is especially true in hilly terrain in areas where flooding is common. Remember that any area that is on a slope or beneath elevated terrain can be impacted by a landslide. This is common after periods of heavy rain when ground becomes saturated and loses its grip to the underlying rock under its own weight.
Keep in mind that the problems associated with landslides are not limited to major events that get a lot of media attention. A small slide that spreads over a roadway can make getting in and out of an area impossible. A slide that dumps debris into a lake can kill fish and contaminate water. You can even find access to your home blocked, and there are many cases when landslides do not destroy homes but trap people inside instead.
What to do During a Landslide
Situational awareness is key when assessing the risk of a landslide. Knowing the terrain, identifying risk areas and avoiding them whenever possible is the best course of action to take. If you sense that ground is going to move due to any of the conditions mentioned above, consider getting out of the area out of an abundance of caution.
If you see one approaching, try to get to either side of the moving ground as quickly as possible. Just remember that the swath of land that is affected may expand as the landslide intensifies, so you want to try and get as far away from the path as possible. If you get caught in the path, the best advice is to curl yourself up in a ball in order to protect your body from the impact. You can also try to position yourself by holding onto some debris in order to stay atop the flow as much as possible. At the end of the day, there are no right or wrong answers, and your response will largely depend on the situation at hand and making appropriate choices in the heat of the moment.
Just remember that prevention is key, and you want to scout land and terrain to ensure that you reduce risk before a problem arises, even if you are in an area where landslides are not common. Don’t forget that it only takes one to put your life in danger.
