ABSTRACT
The importance of climate on stability is illustrated by the fact that most rock falls and slides take place during heavy rainfall, and particularly when repeated freezing-thawing is much in effect. The most catastrophic rock slides in Norway, Loen and Tafjord, have all taken place during such conditions (Bjerrum & Jørstad 1968). For very large rock slides like these it is also a general experience that the failure does not occur without warning – it is preceded by a period of increased rockfall activity. Thus, creep effects and time dependent behaviour are key issues in stability assessment.
