ABSTRACT
Mass movements encompass a wide range of hazards, commonly called landslides and avalanches. In this chapter the various types and mechanisms of mass movements are explored with a particular focus on falls, flows and slides. The causes and triggers are diverse and vary from geological, geomorphological, meteorological and environmental sources, although increasingly the activities of humans are becoming the most significant driver of mass movements. The impact of these events are typically localised, but they can cause significant deaths and destruction, along with secondary hazards such as flooding. Whilst avalanche hazards typically affect skiers and climbers, many rural and urban areas are at risk, and considerable work is being done to enhance the monitoring of mass movements to integrate these into effective warnings to aid community awareness and preparedness. Engineering solutions are commonly devised and integrated to help prevent mass movements and help preserve key infrastructure such as roads and rivers that often dam following a mass movement. Whilst many of these approaches are costly, for some the integration of better land use zoning and planning is vital to mitigate against the risks. Biological solutions to maintaining slope safety is a cheap, effective and environmentally sound method in contrast to building engineering structures. With climate change and the increasing vulnerabilities of large populations living on unsafe lands, mass movements will be a hazard seen far more frequently in the future.
