A landslide is a type of mass wasting—the downhill movement of a quantity of rock, debris, or earth due to gravity. These events occur when the gravitational stress on a slope exceeds the shear strength of the material, causing a failure along a slip surface. The movement can involve various materials, including solid rock, unconsolidated soil, and saturated debris. The primary triggers for landslides often include intense rainfall or rapid snowmelt, which saturate the ground and increase pore water pressure, effectively reducing the internal friction and cohesion within the slope material. Additionally, seismic activity, gradual erosion, and the removal of supporting material at the base of a slope can significantly destabilize an area, initiating rapid and destructive mass movements.