Landslide Depending Air Pressure

Mountains notice changes in air pressure too. Recently, USGS scientists working on the Slumgullion Landslide in Colorado, US, have found that periods of low atmospheric pressure can trigger landslides. Landslides happen when there isn’t much friction on a mountainside. This condition is usually caused by rain or snow, which can make the mountain slippery.

Scientists found that when there is low pressure, there is also less friction holding the rocks and sediment in place.

This research suggests that rapid pressure variations associated with some fast-moving storm systems could trigger landslides. Landslides cause thousands of casualties and billions of dollars of damage annually, and this new research will help managers and scientists better plan for landslides.