Soil erosion a threat to China

A national survey of China in 2004 found that soil erosion has impacted upon 37% of the total area of China. In response to this increasing threat a new, wide-ranging investigation involving more than 200 scientists and policy-makers has been launched (5th July 2005). The aim will be to determine the seriousness of the problem, raise public awareness and develop key strategies to curb erosion.

Useful link: WASER (World Association for Sedimentation and Erosion Research) http://www.waser.cn/default.asp

Bluebird Canyon Landslide

On 1st June 2005, Bluebird Canyon in California experienced a landslide. It would appear that exceptionally heavy rainfall during the winter period (esp December to February) was the underlying cause of the instability. It is thought that gradual movement of this water into and through the ground caused an unusual increase in groundwater level, subsequently leading to instability. There is concern that the area upslope of the current landslide may enlarge in the coming weeks and months.

Himalayan glaciers 'melting fast'

The World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) says that hundreds of millions of people in the Himalays could be affected by severe water shortages because mountain glaciers are melting due to global warming.

Landslides hit north-east India

On 26th May 2005, after torrential rainfall, a number of landslides occurred in Nagaland in north-east India. The slides killed at least 10 people and many houses have been destroyed or damaged.