Ground failures

Nature

Ground failures involving landslides, expansive soils, and subsidence are a major threat each year to man and his works.

Background

Ground failures have drawn global attention since the early 20th century, when catastrophic events such as the 1920 Haiyuan earthquake in China highlighted their devastating impact on communities and infrastructure. Subsequent advances in geotechnical engineering and disaster risk assessment have deepened understanding of the complex interplay between natural processes and human activities in triggering ground failures. International concern has grown as urbanization and climate change increase both the frequency and consequences of these events worldwide.

Incidence

Ground failures, including landslides, subsidence, and sinkholes, occur on every continent and affect millions of people annually. These events disrupt infrastructure, displace communities, and cause significant economic losses, particularly in regions with unstable geology or intensive human activity such as mining and groundwater extraction. The global incidence of ground failures is rising due to factors like urban expansion, deforestation, and climate change, making them a persistent threat to both developed and developing nations.
In February 2023, a massive landslide struck the Enga province in Papua New Guinea, burying several villages and resulting in hundreds of fatalities. The disaster highlighted the vulnerability of remote communities to sudden ground failures and the challenges of emergency response in such regions.

Counter-claim

Ground failures are vastly overblown as a concern. Modern engineering and technology have rendered most ground failure risks negligible. The media and some experts exaggerate their impact, diverting attention from truly pressing issues. With proper planning and monitoring, ground failures rarely cause significant harm. Resources spent worrying about this are better allocated elsewhere. In reality, ground failures are not an important problem and do not deserve the attention they currently receive.