Figure 15.26

SCIENTIFIC INQUIRY: Can scientists predict dangerous landslides? The key to developing an early warning system for deadly landslides is monitoring ground movement long before the slope fails. Heavy rains are more likely to trigger a mass movement event on slopes that have been moving before the rains. Long-term monitoring stations allow scientists to develop a history of slope movement for a given location. Scientists issue evacuation warnings if the slope shows signs of moving, although accurate predictions of the timing of slope failure are not possible.