Canada Landslides

Each year, there are thousands of landslides throughout Canada. The combination of steep mountains and melting ice flows makes Canada particularly vulnerable to landslides.  Each winter, when the frozen ice covering the mountains melts, it can cause the rocks to release from the mountain.  There are several strategies that are used to prevent the damage.

One interesting strategy that is being used in Canada is the use of satellite photo monitoring in high risk areas.  For example at Turtle Mountain, the satellite compares the position of  rock movement over a period of time to ensure the risk of landslides has not increased.  The distance is tracked over a period of about 24 days, and can detect movement of as little as 5 millimeters.  This information can be vital for preparing for a flow.

Other tactics used involve government planning to alert citizens of pending disaster.  Promoting people in high risk areas to take extra precautions such as evacuation plans, staying away from power lines, and understating that the grounds may be unstable for several days following an event.    

 

http://enr.construction.com/news/environment/archives/050614.asp

http://www.redcross.ca/what-we-do/emergencies-and-disasters-in-canada/for-home-and-family/make-a-plan/planning-for-landslides

https://www.nrcan.gc.ca/hazards/landslides