Mass Wasting in Sweden

Sweden Mass Wasting

“Since 1950, at least 10 people have lost their lives, and 160 were injured as a result of landslides” in Sweden. Sweden has had over 55 large landslides in the past 100 years. There is an estimate of 200,000 buildings that “are located close to water in areas where the risk of landslides will increase”. One landslide in Vagnhärad had a calculated cost of 120-130 million SEK (Sweden’s currency, one United States dollar is equal to 8.79 SEK). 

Another example of a Sweden landslide is the December 2006 landslide, south of Munkedal, Sweden. “The slide covered a stretch measuring 550 metres long and 250 metres wide in a valley” (Avalanches and Landslides - Sweden). “The soil in the valley, which contains quick clay, shifted around 20 metres sidewards and 7 metres downwards at its peak. Several cars were caught up in the landslide and some people were injured. The landslide caused serious damage to the road and railway, as well as telephone cables embedded in the banks” 

On November 30, 1977, Sweden was hit by it’s biggest landslide ever, the Tuveraset landslide. This big landslide destroyed around 67 houses, making about 600 people homeless, killed 9 people, and injured 60. The slide was quick, lasting only 5-6 minutes, but affected 270,000 square meters. Out of about 600 people living there, approximately 200 were in the area when the slide happened. There were around 100 people who needed help from rescue workers. “Close to one kilometer of the nearby road was destroyed. It is estimated that three to four million cubic meters of soil were involved in the slide and further would not have fertility to grow crops” (Tuve landslide). This slide was caused by heavy rain and an unstable slope. “The total economic cost of the slide has been estimated to 140 million SEK”

If a landslide happens, it is important to stay safe. According to the Swedish Civil Contingencies Agency, it is important to pay attention to warning signs, including cracking, rubbing, and crunching sounds. We also need to other signs of landslides: minor slides, erosion damage, trees, polls ect. leaning in the same direction, newly developed/growing cracks, ect.. If you are outside and the ground starts to shake, move to flat land as far away from the shaking as you can get. If you are inside, try to get outside. If you can't, get away from windows and get to higher ground. However, if you are unable to escape, roll up into a ball and cover your head. 

Sources: Tuve landslide, https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10346-016-0775-6, Avalanches and Landslides - Sweden, Response Guidelines for Landslides