We knew earthquakes and heavy rain could initiate landslides, but now it seems alterations in atmospheric pressure can do it too if combined with certain conditions on the ground
Earth
16 November 2022
The Slumgullion landslide in Colorado has been slowly advancing for hundreds of years Bill Schulz/USGS
Small changes in atmospheric pressure can start a landslide in certain weather conditions. Understanding why will help us to assess which slopes are at most risk of failing.
Just over a decade ago, there was huge surprise when it was discovered that the intermittent sliding of the Slumgullion landslide in the San Juan Mountains of south-west Colorado was triggered by changes in atmospheric pressure. We knew that landslides are initiated by earthquakes or heavy rains, but the …