Landslide derails train in Italy.

Last Monday, in Bolzano (Italy), a train was overturned by a landslide. It was travelling on the Val Venosta line, passing through a strait valley when the landslide came and left the train near the border of a cliff near the river. The situation was not good: there were at least 7 victims and among the 20 injured people, 4 of them were in very serious conditions.

Earth is unpredictable. Although sometimes we believe we can control and dominate it, it's seen that we can't.

In Earth sciences subject, besides other matters, we study this type of Earth movements. Landslides occur with a change in the stability of a slope (from a stable to an unstable condition), caused by multiple factors such as erosion, earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, groundwater pressure... Moreover, they are aggravated by human activities, for example deforestation or construction.

My opinion in this case is that the construction of the rail caused instability in the valley. First of all, the valley land could withstand this modification on its relief. Then, when the train was inaugurated and it started to circulate, the valley started to withstand more pressure, as well as the vibrations caused when the train passed; as a result, the ground there was altered. Finally, it gave way and it took place this landslide. Even though it has caused many injured and victims, fortunately the train stopped because of the vegetation. If there had not been trees, the train would have felt down the cliff and it would have been worse.

CNN video.