Grounds for concern: landsliding in Great Britain

Discusses the 1984 study review by the Department of the Environment of existing knowledge regarding landslipping in Great Britain. Reviews the background to the study and presents some of the general results. Concludes that knowledge of landslide distribution,character and significance remain surprisingly poor, that old (ancient)landslides are much more widely distributed in the landscape than previously thought, and that such old features present an important potential threat to buildings and structures because they can be reactivated if disturbed. Suggests that heightened perception of landslide hazard will lead to greater consideration of ground stability prior to developments, including increased use of various types of survey techniques that exist, and delimit areas of actual and potential instability.