History of Landslides

A landslide is a mostly dry mass of earth and rock that slides downward. This geologic phenomenon has happened throughout history and around the globe. Landslides give little warning and leave massive tracts of destruction in their wake.

Largest Landslide

• A Canadian geologist found proof of the largest landslide in history, which took place approximately 10,000 years ago in North America. The slide was likely caused by a mountain ridge collapse and was so massive that it permanently changed the position of the Continental Divide.

Largest Death Toll

• The landslide with the largest death toll in modern history happened on Dec. 16, 1920. An earthquake along the Tibetan border caused landslides throughout the region around Kansu, China. Many of the poor lived among caves in river banks; the landslides sheered off these river banks and thousands of lives were lost. The landslides destroyed about 100 cities, and caused a death toll of approximately 180,000.

Latest Devestation

• In September 2010, in the Mexican municipality of Santa Maria Tlahuiltotepec, an early morning mudslide caused widespread devastation. Smaller landslides complicated efforts to rescue victims of the main slide. The first estimates were around 1,000 lost as 300 homes were buried. Later information revealed only 11 victims still missing.