This coutry review on landslides in Pakistan deal with all the aspects of landslides, their types; causative factors; their relation to geology, earthquakes, monsoons, and deforestation; their impact; and possible studies to overcome disasters and control. This paper systematically indentifies the problem areas and gives details of the historical background clearly estabishing the connection with certain natural (earthquakes, lithology) and man-made (excavations and indiscriminate construction) causative factors.

The northern parts of Pakistan, i.e., the mountainous regions of the Himalayas, the karakoram and the Hindu Kush, have a high incidence of landslides. Though this part of the country is not highy-populated, nevertheless, the impact of landslides is felt severely. More so, because this part of the country is bordered by China, India, and is, therefore, of considerable strategic importance.

The extent of the impacts of landslides depends upon various factors such as the depth and rate of movement, stresses from the environment, volume of materials involved, and, most importantly, the proximity to settlements and structures. The author quotes instances where more than half a village has been wiped out or where powerhouses/dams have been damaged.

Dealing with the diversity of causes, the author scientifically enumerates aspects of geology, such as lithological distribution, bedding, joints, foliation, and schistosity, that lead to landslides. Causative factors relating to surface and groundwater and the effct of saturation on strength, temperature variations, earthquakes and vibrations, and effects of vegetation and deforestation have been dealt with in the context of Pakistan.

The text is further substrantiated with figures, tables, and photographs.

This coutry review on landslides in Pakistan deal with all the aspects of landslides, their types; causative factors; their relation to geology, earthquakes, monsoons, and deforestation; their impact; and possible studies to overcome disasters and control. This paper systematically indentifies the problem areas and gives details of the historical background clearly estabishing the connection with certain natural (earthquakes, lithology) and man-made (excavations and indiscriminate construction) causative factors.

The northern parts of Pakistan, i.e., the mountainous regions of the Himalayas, the karakoram and the Hindu Kush, have a high incidence of landslides. Though this part of the country is not highy-populated, nevertheless, the impact of landslides is felt severely. More so, because this part of the country is bordered by China, India, and is, therefore, of considerable strategic importance.

The extent of the impacts of landslides depends upon various factors such as the depth and rate of movement, stresses from the environment, volume of materials involved, and, most importantly, the proximity to settlements and structures. The author quotes instances where more than half a village has been wiped out or where powerhouses/dams have been damaged.

Dealing with the diversity of causes, the author scientifically enumerates aspects of geology, such as lithological distribution, bedding, joints, foliation, and schistosity, that lead to landslides. Causative factors relating to surface and groundwater and the effct of saturation on strength, temperature variations, earthquakes and vibrations, and effects of vegetation and deforestation have been dealt with in the context of Pakistan.

The text is further substrantiated with figures, tables, and photographs.