Landslides in the Upper Jordan Gorge

Extensive active landslides affected by climatic events are found in the Jordan River Gorge. The lithological structure of the basaltic lava flows determine the extent and type of slide; the river removes the talus material promoting farther falling and sliding. A total amount of 100 000 cubic meters of material was removed from the canyon during the January 1969 rainfall event; the average annual debris removal is estimated at 500 cubic meters per year. Forest clearing and hydrological changes in the watershed are the main anthropic factors promoting erosion processes in the region. -Authors