The general term for mass wasting is any process of soil and rock erosion that is driven by gravity. There are no specific triggers although there are some factors that can contribute to the severity or frequency of mass wasting. Some of the most common examples of mass wasting are landslides, rock falls and mudslides. The mass movements can be highly destructive and dangerous.
In Chile, debris flows such as landslides are often triggered by heavy rainfall. Therefore, the middle and southern regions are more susceptible to mass wasting. Those areas have higher amounts of precipitation. However, the northern regions of Chile are at low risk due to the extremely dry climate. According to Think Hazard - Chile - Landslide , Chile is classified as high susceptibility for landslides and also has impacts due to climate change. This website states that, “Climate change is likely to alter slope and bedrock stability through changes in precipitation and/or temperature. It is difficult to determine future locations and timing of large rock avalanches, as these depend on local geological conditions and other non-climatic factors”.
Unfortunately, Chile does not have a warning system or preventive measures for these types of hazards. In the past, the country has declared a state of emergency after the hazard and then action is taken to assist people. For remote locations, airlift rescue is sometimes required to evacuate people. Due to the fact that Chile is prone to this type of hazard, it should be a priority to government officials to expand their warning systems and take precautionary measures.
The aftermath of the landslide at Villa Santa Lucia in southern Chile
Sources:
Think Hazard - Chile - Landslide
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