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Road affected by erosion.
In September 2023, a major landslide occurred outside Stenungsund, which had a significant impact on the infrastructure in the area, particularly on the E6. Photo: Jonas Axelsson, Trafikverket

Landslides and erosion

Extreme weather, such as heavy, persistent rain, increases the risk of landslides, mudslides and erosion. If you live near a slope overlooking a watercourse, it is good to know what you can do to reduce these risks.

Prepare for landslides and erosion

  • Pay attention to changes in the slope. These might include, for example, trees that are starting to lean or patches of soil starting to slide.
  • Avoid dumping garden waste down the slope – this can increase the pressure and inhibit the growth of vegetation that holds the soil in place. Piles of snow dumped down the slope can also increase the pressure, and meltwater can erode the soil.
  • Make sure the ground around a water outflow in a slope is protected with gravel. Otherwise, the water may erode and wash away the soil.
  • Avoid placing heavy objects on the slope, such as parked cars, excavated material and woodpiles – this reduces the risk of landslides and erosion.

More tips on how to prevent landslides and erosion from the Swedish Civil Defence and Resilience Agency

During an ongoing landslide or erosion

  • Evacuate the area. Never go near a landslide area. This applies both when a landslide has occurred and when there are signs that one may occur.
  • Call 112. The emergency rescue services can take action and evacuate areas if there is an immediate danger.
  • If damage has occurred to an electrical installation, you need to protect yourself from the electrical hazard. If possible, switch off the installation, but only if you can do so without putting yourself at risk. Contact the owner of the electrical installation.

After landslide or erosion

  • Contact your insurance company as soon as possible. Respect any safety barriers. Do not enter the area until it is safe.
  • Once the immediate danger has passed, the emergency rescue services will withdraw and the work of restoring and assessing any remaining risks will be handed over to the property owner.

Difference between landslide, erosion and mudflow

During a landslide, blocks, stones, and particles of gravel and sand move freely. Landslides occur on mountain walls and on gravel and sand slopes. 

An erosion is a coherent mass of earth that begins to move. Erosion occurs in silty and clayey soils. Erosion can also occur in silty or clayey moraines if the moraine is water-saturated. 

A mudflow is a flowing mass of water and soil moving down a stream ravine or a steep slope. They occur after heavy rainfall and are common in the mountains but also occur in other parts of the country.

Source: Geological Survey of Sweden (SGU), Swedish Geotechnical Institute (SGI)

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