Landslides: Forms, processes and economic significance in Israel

Landslide activity in Israel is not very extensive; rockfalls are common along steep slopes of gorges in the Northern basaltic areas and slumps on steep slopes underlain by chalk or marl in the Mediterranean areas. Landslides are a major problem along the cliffs of the densely populated Mediterranean coast. No major landslides have been reported from the extremely arid regions of the country. Major landslides are connected with exceptionnel rainfall and earthquakes. No significant economic damage by landsliding has occurred in the last forty years, but there has been considerable investment in expensive engineering works in protection of roads and buildings. A review is made of the published literature and problems to be studied are suggested.