Before a landslide

Minimizing the risks from landslides

Landslide risk can be minimized by various methods, including:

Avoidance

• With expert input and careful planning, communities can identify unstable slopes and restrict or control development in hazard zones.

Protective measures

• For communities that are already established, the municipal or provincial authorities must consider whether protective engineering measures or buy-outs and moving of people and buildings should be undertaken.

Engineered solutions

• If unstable slopes cannot be avoided, there are numerous engineered solutions to deter landslides including:
  • improving drainage
  • reducing the angle of the slope
  • excavating to unload the top of the slope
  • building a protective berm or wall to buttress the bottom of the slope

Containment or diversion structures

• Where landslides can neither be prevented nor avoided, a number of physical containment or diversion structures have been designed, including:
  • catchment dams and containment basins to control debris and water
  • artificial channels or chutes to redirect debris flow
  • nets and artificial walls to prevent falling rock or earth from hitting roads or structures

How to protect your home against landslides

Although landslides usually occur without warning, understanding this natural hazard and following some sensible rules can help to protect your family and home.

• Learn about your local geology and the potential for landslides in your area.
• Avoid actions that would increase instability. For example, do not undercut a steep bank; do not build near the top or base of steep slopes; do not place fill on steep slopes; do not drain pools or otherwise increase water flow down steep slopes.
• Learn how to recognize signs of potential failure in your locality. Examples include slope cracks, slope bulges, unusual seepage of water on the slope, and small rock or sediment falls.
• Know who to notify if you recognize these signs (e.g. municipal emergency contact numbers and municipal engineers).

What to do:

Date modified:

2018-02-21