On this page:
- Know the risk before you go
- Landslide, mudslide and avalanche warning signs
- What to do if there's a landslide, mudslide or avalanche
- Landslide, mudslide or avalanche reporting services
Know the risk before you go
Landslides, mudslides and avalanches happen when the side of a slope gives way and rock, earth, mud, snow or debris moves downward. They can vary in size from a single boulder to millions of cubic metres of debris.
Serious landslides, mudslides and avalanches can bury or destroy buildings. They can also isolate towns by blocking or destroying access roadways.
Property damage, injuries and death can be greater in developing countries. This is often due to poor building standards, regulations, and deforestation.
Where and when landslides, mudslides and avalanches happen
Landslides, mudslides and avalanches can happen in any country. They're more likely to occur in mountainous areas.
Areas that have had landslides before are more likely to have them again. They are almost always triggered by other events, such as:
- earthquakes
- heavy rain
- heavy snowfall and extreme cold
- volcanic activity
- deforestation caused by land clearing or bushfires.
Before you travel, find out if landslides or avalanches are common where you're going. Read the travel advice for your destination. If they are a risk, we'll include it in the 'Safety' section under 'Extreme weather and natural disasters'.
If you’re doing snow sports, stay on piste. Avalanches are more common in back country areas. If you do go off piste, take an emergency locator beacon. Never go off piste alone.
Landslide, mudslide or avalanche warning signs
Slides are difficult to predict and often happen with no warning. But there are things you can look out for. Particularly after an event that can cause a slide.
If you think a slide is about to happen, evacuate immediately. Tell people around you, and call local emergency services.
Watch for
- Recent cracks, bulges or water seeps in the ground.
- Sudden changes to a building, including cracks, tilting decks and doors or windows that don't open or close properly.
- Leaning trees or telephone poles.
- A sudden decrease in creek water levels, even though rain is still falling or just stopped.
Listen for
- A rumbling sound that gets steadily louder.
- Unusual sounds, such as cracking trees or boulders knocking together.
What to do if there's a landslide, mudslide or avalanche
Read our advice about what to do if there's a natural disaster. Follow that advice, as well as the following.
During a landslide, mudslide or avalanche
If you're inside
If you have time, evacuate the building and get out of the slide's path. If you can't evacuate:
- Move higher. Get to a higher floor if you can.
- Take shelter. Move to the side of the building that's furthest from the slide. Get under a table or other sturdy structure. Cover your head and neck with your arms.
- Stay put. Don't move until you're sure movement has stopped.
If you're outside
- Move quickly to higher ground. Try to move uphill, out of the path of the landslide. If you're in a creek gully, move up and out. Don't try to outrun a slide downhill.
- Protect yourself. If you can't get out of the path, curl into a ball and protect your head and neck with your arms.
- Watch for floods. Flash flooding can often follow a slide.
After a landslide, mudslide or avalanche
- Stay away from the slide area. The ground could still be unstable. Further slides could follow.
- Treat injuries. Seek first aid, if necessary, before helping other injured or trapped people. If it's serious, you may need medical care.
- Stay informed. Listen to local news. If you have internet, follow online news from official reporting services.
- Stay in contact. Contact family and friends to let them know you're safe if you can.
- Save phone battery power. Keep your mobile charged as much as possible. Send text messages where possible and turn off non-essential services when not required.
- Be aware of your surroundings. Don't go near damaged buildings or fallen powerlines.
Find out who to contact if you need help.