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Landslides and debris flow

Debris flow outside Skibotn in Northern Norway in May 2010.  ( Svein Eriksen)

Landslides and debris flow are usually triggered by instability in saturated soil on steep slopes and river courses. This often happens with heavy rainfall, snowmelt, or a combination.

Erosion and mass transport play a significant role, especially in canalized terrain forms. Climate change is assumed to lead to more heavy rain, which will probably mean that landslides and floods occur more frequently and that the landslides and debris flow can become more extensive and severe.

This ultimately affects the consequences of such incidents in that the landslides become more harmful and may occur in areas where no landslides have occurred before. Landslides and floods can damage infrastructure, roads, buildings, and people due to large volumes of debris material, high speed, and long range.

NGI develops a methodology for mapping areas with a risk of landslides and floods. The maps are used to assess and design measures that reduce the risk of loss of life and property damage. We also conduct analyses of landslide outlets, the design of necessary mitigation, and the geotechnical design of protection measures up to the construction phase.

Services related to landslides, floods, and debris flows

  • danger zone and caution mapping
  • risk-and vulnerability analysis
  • design and engineering of mitigation measures
  • assessment of effects related to climate change and climate adaptation
  • transfer of knowledge to municipal authorities.
  • research and development of landslides and debris flow

Research and development

  • mapping, identification, and quantification of the degree of danger and consequence for areas that are potentially exposed to landslides
  • impact of climate change on landslides
  • development of methods for monitoring, warning, and protection against avalanche danger
  • calculation of outlet distance of landslides
  • research on the effect of precipitation on the triggering of landslides in natural slopes.

Examples of research projects

PHUSICOS - reduce risk in mountain landscapes

Research on solutions to reduce risk in mountain landscapes. PHUSICOS – “According to nature” in Greek – is funded by the EU Horizon 2020 program. It will demonstrate how nature-based solutions provide robust, sustainable and cost-effective measures for reducing the risk of extreme weather events in rural mountain landscapes. For more information see the project web-site.

NordicLink - secure against climate induced natural hazards

NordicLink is a network of scientists and linear infrastructure stakeholders who collaborate with the objective of increasing the security and resilience of transnational Nordic linear infrastructure networks regarding extreme weather and natural hazards with the purpose of ensuring the high-quality continuation of daily life and the economy.

Examples of concultancy projects

Methodology for securing buildings against floods and landslides

NGI and PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) have been engaged as consultants in a project that has developed a new methodology for assessing the overall need to secure existing buildings against floods and landslides. The Norwegian Water Resources and Energy Directorate (NVE) was the client and project manager.

Safety and risk streaming through the city - Halden municipality

When the municipality of Halden began to review its area planning, they saw a need for more knowledge about safety and risk along two streams running through the center of the city; Remmenbekken and Schultzebekken.

Portrait of Carl Bonnevie Harbitz

Carl Bonnevie Harbitz

Expert Adviser Climate Adaptation and Hydrodynamics carl.bonnevie.harbitz@ngi.no
 +47 922 39 636
Portrait of Håkon Heyerdahl

Håkon Heyerdahl

Head of Section Slope Stability and Risk Assessment hakon.heyerdahl@ngi.no
 +47 951 25 767