What is a Mudslide?
A mudslide, otherwise known as a landslide, is really just a big flow of mud, earth, and debris rushing down a mountain or a hillside. Mudslides cause large amounts of damage but individually, they rarely cost a great number of lives. They occur daily, though most aren’t large enough to be considered dangerous. Slides are caused by heavy rains or earthquakes, particularly when preceded by periods of drought or wildfires. A large earthquake can cause tens of thousands of mudslides of all sizes. During wildfires, large areas of forest are wiped out, killing roots that are vital for holding soil in place. When soil is loose, there is a great chance of mudslides occurring.
