Sturzstrom

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A sturzstrom is a rare, unique type of landslide. It consists of dry soil and rock and moves a great amount of distance horizontally compared to its distance vertically. Sturzstroms are similar to glaciers, mudslides, and lava flows. Sturzstroms flow across land fairly easily, and their mobility increases when volume increases. They have been found on other bodies in the solar system, including the moon, Mars, Venus, Io, Callisto, and Phobos.

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The Mt St Helens landslide was a sturzstrom. The slide took place here, on the north face, and the gap created can be seen here.
The Mt St Helens landslide was a sturzstrom. The slide took place here, on the north face, and the gap created can be seen here.

A sturzstrom is caused by a trigger, such as an earthquake or volcano. It moves rapidly, but does not necessarily require water to be present within it to move. Therefore, there is no definite explanation for their movement. The leading theory is that sturzstroms ride on "air cushions", or dust clouds generated by itself. This is called acoustic fluidization.

Once moving, it can ride over nearly any terrain. It more often moves over horizontal ground, more than downward-sloped ground. Its momentum can carry it up small hills.

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