Massive landslide struck Byneset near Trondheim, Norway

The massive landslide struck just south of Trondheim in central Norway prompting evacuation of dozens people from a rural area bordering Norway’s third largest city on Sunday. The river of muddy black sludge stretching about a kilometre (over half a mile) was moving through the area and geologists have been sent up in a helicopter to evaluate the danger. Unusually warm December weather may have contributed to the landslide, with media speculating that a violent storm across Scandinavia late last month, which dumped massive amounts of rain on Trondheim, may have been the trigger.

No one has been reported missing and no houses or farms have so far been swept away by the sea of mud. The affected area is on a rural peninsula and there is no danger the landslide could affect the densely populated centre of the city of Trondheim itself, which is home to nearly 200,000 people. This is a natural process that takes place when running water goes with the material, or moving soil from one place to another. It runs a stream through the slide area on Byneset. The slide occurred in a stream section, in the very flat landscape. No people or homes are taken off the slide, but less than 50 people have been evacuated. They do not know when they will move back to their homes. Geologists are up in the helicopter and inspect the area. (Adressa.no)

Watch the video of slide affected area here.